Hvac controller with sensor priority screen

ABSTRACT

An HVAC controller is configured to receive signals from a plurality of sensors positioned in different spaces. The HVAC controller includes a controller that is configured to display one or more screens on a user interface that include a home screen including a selectable display element that indicates a number of the plurality of sensors that are currently being used by the controller in controlling the HVAC system. Upon selection of the selectable display element, the controller displays a sensor priority screen that includes a plurality of graphic constructs that each identify a building space and a current temperature for that building space. The controller is configured to control the HVAC system in accordance with the current temperature reported by each of the number of the plurality of sensors that are currently being used by the controller in controlling the HVAC system.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure pertains to a Heating, Ventilation, and/or AirConditioning (HVAC) system for a building. More particularly, thepresent disclosure pertains to devices for controlling an HVAC system.

BACKGROUND

Heating, Ventilation, and/or Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems are oftenused to control the comfort level within a building or other structure.Such HVAC systems typically include an HVAC controller that controlsvarious HVAC components of the HVAC system in order to affect and/orcontrol one or more environmental conditions within the building. Inmany cases, the HVAC controller is mounted within the building andprovides control signals to various HVAC components of the HVAC system.Improvements in the hardware, user experience, and functionality of suchHVAC controllers, including remote sensor devices, would be desirable.

SUMMARY

The disclosure is directed to HVAC controllers that are configured toreceive signals such as temperature signals from a plurality ofdifferent temperature sensors, and to utilize these temperature signalsin controlling an HVAC system. In a particular example of thedisclosure, a Heating, Cooling and Ventilation (HVAC) controller forcontrolling an HVAC system within a building structure is configured toreceive signals from a plurality of sensors positioned in differentspaces in the building structure. The HVAC controller includes a housingand a user interface that is accessible from an exterior of the housing.The HVAC controller includes an input for receiving signals from aplurality of sensors, each of the plurality of sensors reporting acurrent temperature for the space in which the particular sensor islocated. A controller is operably coupled to the user interface and tothe input and is configured to display one or more screens on the userinterface that include a home screen including a selectable displayelement that indicates a number of the plurality of sensors that arecurrently being used by the controller in controlling the HVAC system.Upon selection of the selectable display element on the home screen, thecontroller is configured to display a sensor priority screen thatincludes a plurality of graphic constructs, where each graphic constructidentifies one of the different spaces in the building structure anddisplays a current temperature reported by the corresponding sensor inthat space, the sensor priority screen also designating the graphicconstructs that correspond to each of the number of the plurality ofsensors that are currently being used by the controller in controllingthe HVAC system. The controller is configured to control the HVAC systemin accordance with the current temperature reported by each of thenumber of the plurality of sensors that are currently being used by thecontroller in controlling the HVAC system.

In another particular example of the disclosure, a Heating, Cooling andVentilation (HVAC) controller for controlling an HVAC system within abuilding structure is configured to receive signals from a plurality ofsensors positioned in different spaces in the building structure. TheHVAC includes a housing and a user interface that is accessible from anexterior of the housing. A wireless input is for receiving signals froma plurality of remote sensors, each of the plurality of remote sensorsreporting a current temperature and an indication of occupancy for thespace in which the particular sensor is located. A controller isoperably coupled to the user interface and to the wireless input and isconfigured to display on the user interface a plurality of graphicconstructs. Each graphic construct identifies one of the differentspaces in the building structure, displays a current temperature forthat space, and displays a current occupancy status for that space. Thecontroller is configured to control the HVAC system in accordance withat least some of the plurality of current temperatures for the differentspaces in the building structure.

In another particular example of the disclosure, a Heating, Cooling andVentilation (HVAC) controller for controlling an HVAC system within abuilding structure is configured to receive signals from a plurality ofsensors positioned in different spaces in the building structure. TheHVAC controller includes a housing and a user interface that isaccessible from an exterior of the housing. The HVAC controller includesan input for receiving signals from a plurality of sensors, each of theplurality of sensors reporting a current temperature for the space inwhich the particular sensor is located and a current occupancy status. Acontroller is operably coupled to the user interface and to the inputand is configured to display on the user interface a plurality ofgraphic constructs in either a first mode or a second mode, the firstmode and the second mode being user selectable via the user interface.When in the first mode, each graphic construct identifies one of thedifferent spaces in the building structure and displays a currenttemperature reported by the corresponding sensor, and also designateswhether the corresponding space is currently selected for use by thecontroller in controlling the HVAC system. When in the second mode, eachgraphic construct identifies one of the different spaces in the buildingstructure and displays a current temperature reported by thecorresponding sensor, and wherein in the second mode, at least some ofthe spaces reporting a current occupancy status of occupied will be usedby the controller in controlling the HVAC system. The controller isconfigured to control the HVAC system using the current temperaturereported by the sensors in the selected spaces in the first mode and thecurrent temperature reported by the sensors in at least some of thespaces that are reporting a current occupancy status of occupied in thesecond mode.

The above summary of some embodiments is not intended to describe eachdisclosed embodiment or every implementation of the present disclosure.The Figures, and Detailed Description, which follow, more particularlyexemplify some of these embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure may be more completely understood in consideration of thefollowing description of various illustrative embodiments of thedisclosure in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an illustrative HVAC system servicing abuilding;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an illustrative HVAC control system thatmay facilitate access and/or control of the HVAC system of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a building space including an illustrativeHVAC control system;

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of a portion of an illustrative HVACcontroller useable in the HVAC control system of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing an illustrative method of adjusting acontrol temperature of an HVAC system based on remote temperature andoccupancy sensors,

FIGS. 6 through 9 are illustrative screens that may be displayed on theuser interface of the HVAC controller of FIG. 4 with respect to remotesensor utilization;

FIGS. 10 through 13 are flow diagrams illustrating methods that may becarried out by the HVAC controller of FIG. 4 to help enforce a deadbandbetween a HEAT temperature set point and a COOL temperature set point.

FIGS. 14A through 14D are illustrative screens that may be displayed onthe user interface of the HVAC controller of FIG. 4 with respect toenforcing a deadband between a HEAT temperature set point and a COOLtemperature set point:

FIG. 15 is a schematic block diagram of an illustrative HVAC controlleruseable in the HVAC control system of FIG. 3;

FIGS. 16 through 20 are illustrative screens that may be displayed onthe user interface of the HVAC controller of FIG. 15;

FIGS. 21 and 22 are flow diagrams of illustrative methods that may besupported by the HVAC controllers of FIG. 4 and FIG. 15;

FIG. 23 is a schematic block diagram of an illustrative remote serverconnectable to HVAC Controllers in each of a plurality of clientbuildings to support the illustrative methods of FIGS. 21-22;

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of an illustrative thermostat assemblyincluding a larger trim ring;

FIG. 25 is an exploded perspective view of the illustrative thermostatassembly of FIG. 24, positioned to be mounted to an adaptor plate andwall mountable connector,

FIG. 26 is a front perspective view of a larger trim ring forming partof the illustrative thermostat assembly of FIG. 24;

FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view of the larger trim ring of FIG. 26,taken along the line 27-27;

FIG. 28 is an exploded perspective view of the adaptor plate and wallmountable connector of FIG. 25;

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of an illustrative thermostat assemblyincluding a smaller trim ring;

FIG. 30 is an exploded perspective view of the illustrative thermostatassembly of FIG. 29, positioned to be mounted to a wall mountableconnector;

FIG. 31 is a side perspective view of the illustrative thermostatassembly of FIG. 29;

FIG. 32 is a schematic diagram of an illustrative HVAC system and anHVAC controller;

FIG. 33 is a schematic diagram of the illustrative HVAC controller ofFIG. 32 with built in field wiring sensing circuitry;

FIG. 34 is a schematic block diagram of an illustrative wireless sensorassembly;

FIG. 35 is a schematic block diagram of an illustrative wireless sensorassembly;

FIG. 36 is a flow diagram showing an illustrative method that may becarried out using the wireless sensor assemblies of FIGS. 34 and 35;

FIG. 37 is a schematic block diagram of an illustrative wirelessoccupancy sensor.

FIG. 38 is a perspective view of the illustrative wireless occupancysensor of FIG. 37;

FIG. 39 is a partially exploded perspective view of the illustrativewireless occupancy sensor of FIG. 37;

FIG. 40 is a partially exploded perspective view of the illustrativewireless occupancy sensor of FIG. 37;

FIG. 41 is a schematic block diagram of an illustrative wireless sensorassembly;

FIG. 42 is a rear perspective view of the illustrative wireless sensorassembly of FIG. 41;

FIG. 43 is a front view of an illustrative wall plate useful in mountingthe illustrative wireless sensor assembly of FIG. 41 to a wall or othervertical mounting surface; and

FIG. 44 is a back view of the illustrative wall plate of FIG. 43.

While the disclosure is amenable to various modifications andalternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of examplein the drawings and will be described in detail. It should beunderstood, however, that the intention is not to limit aspects of thedisclosure to the particular illustrative embodiments described. On thecontrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, andalternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

DESCRIPTION

The following description should be read with reference to the drawingswherein like reference numerals indicate like elements. The drawings,which are not necessarily to scale, are not intended to limit the scopeof the disclosure. In some of the figures, elements not believednecessary to an understanding of relationships among illustratedcomponents may have been omitted for clarity.

All numbers are herein assumed to be modified by the term “about”,unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. The recitation ofnumerical ranges by endpoints includes all numbers subsumed within thatrange (e.g., 1 to 5 includes 1, 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3, 3.80, 4, and 5).

As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singularforms “a”. “an”, and “the” include the plural referents unless thecontent clearly dictates otherwise. As used in this specification andthe appended claims, the term “or” is generally employed in its senseincluding “and/or” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

It is noted that references in the specification to “an embodiment”,“some embodiments”, “other embodiments”, etc, indicate that theembodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include theparticular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrasesare not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when aparticular feature, structure, or characteristic is described inconnection with an embodiment, it is contemplated that the feature,structure, or characteristic may be applied to other embodiments whetheror not explicitly described unless clearly stated to the contrary.

The present disclosure is directed generally at building automationsystems. Building automation systems are systems that control one ormore operations of a building. Building automation systems can includeHVAC systems, security systems, fire suppression systems, energymanagement systems and other systems. While HVAC systems with HVACcontrollers are used as an example below, it should be recognized thatthe concepts disclosed herein can be applied to building automationsystems more generally.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a building 2 having an illustrativeheating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system 4. Theillustrative HVAC system 4 of FIG. 1 includes one or more HVACcomponents 6, a system of ductwork and air vents including a supply airduct 10 and a return air duct 14, and one or more HVAC controllers 18.The one or more HVAC components 6 may include, but are not limited to, afurnace, a heat pump, an electric heat pump, a geothermal heat pump, anelectric heating unit, an air conditioning unit, a humidifier, adehumidifier, an air exchanger, an air cleaner, a damper, a valve,and/or the like.

It is contemplated that the HVAC controller(s) 18 may be configured tocontrol the comfort level in the building or structure by activating anddeactivating the HVAC component(s) 6 in a controlled manner. The HVACcontroller(s) 18 may be configured to control the HVAC component(s) 6via a wired or wireless communication link 20. In some cases, the HVACcontroller(s) 18 may be a thermostat, such as, for example, a wallmountable thermostat, but this is not required in all embodiments. Sucha thermostat may include (e.g, within the thermostat housing) or haveaccess to one or more temperature sensor(s) for sensing ambienttemperature at or near the thermostat. In some instances, the HVACcontroller(s) 18 may be a zone controller, or may include multiple zonecontrollers each monitoring and/or controlling the comfort level withina particular zone in the building or other structure. In some cases, theHVAC controller(s) 18 may communicate with one or more remote sensors,such as a remote sensor 21, that may be disposed within the building 2.In some cases, a remote sensor 21 may measure various environmentalconditions such as but not limited to temperature.

In the illustrative HVAC system 4 shown in FIG. 1, the HVAC component(s)6 may provide heated air (and/or cooled air) via the ductwork throughoutthe building 2. As illustrated, the HVAC component(s) 6 may be in fluidcommunication with every room and/or zone in the building 2 via theductwork 10 and 14, but this is not required. In operation, when a heatcall signal is provided by the HVAC controller(s) 18, an HVAC component6 (e.g forced warm air furnace) may be activated to supply heated air toone or more rooms and/or zones within the building 2 via supply airducts 10. The heated air may be forced through supply air duct 10 by ablower or fan 22. In this example, the cooler air from each zone may bereturned to the HVAC component 6 (e.g forced warm air furnace) forheating via return air ducts 14. Similarly, when a cool call signal isprovided by the HVAC controller(s) 18, an HVAC component 6 (e.g, airconditioning unit) may be activated to supply cooled air to one or morerooms and/or zones within the building or other structure via supply airducts 10. The cooled air may be forced through supply air duct 10 by theblower or fan 22. In this example, the warmer air from each zone may bereturned to the HVAC component 6 (e.g, air conditioning unit) forcooling via return air ducts 14. In some cases, the HVAC system 4 mayinclude an internet gateway or other device 23 that may allow one ormore of the HVAC components, as described herein, to communicate over awide area network (WAN) such as, for example, the Internet.

In some cases, the system of vents or ductwork 10 and/or 14 can includeone or more dampers 24 to regulate the flow of air, but this is notrequired. For example, one or more dampers 24 may be coupled to one ormore HVAC controller(s) 18, and can be coordinated with the operation ofone or more HVAC components 6. The one or more HVAC controller(s) 18 mayactuate dampers 24 to an open position, a closed position, and/or apartially open position to modulate the flow of air from the one or moreHVAC components to an appropriate room and/or zone in the building orother structure. The dampers 24 may be particularly useful in zoned HVACsystems, and may be used to control which zone(s) receives conditionedair and/or receives how much conditioned air from the HVAC component(s)6. In some cases, the one or more HVAC controller(s) 18 may useinformation from the one or more remote sensors 21, which may bedisposed within one or more zones, to adjust the position of one or moreof the dampers 24 in order to cause a measured value to approach a setpoint in a particular zone or zones.

In many instances, one or more air filters 30 may be used to remove dustand other pollutants from the air inside the building 2. In theillustrative example shown in FIG. 1, the air filter(s) 30 is installedin the return air duct 14, and may filter the air prior to the airentering the HVAC component 6, but it is contemplated that any othersuitable location for the air filter(s) 30 may be used. The presence ofthe air filter(s) 30 may not only improve the indoor air quality, butmay also protect the HVAC components 6 from dust and other particulatematter that would otherwise be permitted to enter the HVAC component.

In some cases, and as shown in FIG. 1, the illustrative HVAC system 4may include an equipment interface module (EIM) 34. When provided, theequipment interface module 34 may, in addition to controlling the HVACunder the direction of the thermostat, be configured to measure ordetect a change in a given parameter between the return air side and thedischarge air side of the HVAC system 4. For example, the equipmentinterface module 34 may measure a difference (or absolute value) intemperature, flow rate, pressure, or a combination of any one of theseparameters between the return air side and the discharge air side of theHVAC system 4. In some instances, absolute value is useful in protectingequipment against an excessively high temperature or an excessively lowtemperature, for example. In some cases, the equipment interface module34 may be adapted to measure the difference or change in temperature(delta T) between a return air side and discharge air side of the HVACsystem 4 for the heating and/or cooling mode. The delta T for theheating and cooling modes may be calculated by subtracting the returnair temperature from the discharge air temperature (e.g, deltaT=discharge air temperature−return air temperature).

In some cases, the equipment interface module 34 may include a firsttemperature sensor 38 a located in the return (incoming) air duct 14,and a second temperature sensor 38 b located in the discharge (outgoingor supply) air duct 10. Alternatively, or in addition, the equipmentinterface module 34 may include a differential pressure sensor includinga first pressure tap 39 a located in the return (incoming) air duct 14,and a second pressure tap 39 b located downstream of the air filter 30to measure a change in a parameter related to the amount of flowrestriction through the air filter 30. In some cases, it can be usefulto measure pressure across the fan in order to determine if too muchpressure is being applied as well as to measure pressure across thecooling A-coil in order to determine if the cooling A-coil may beplugged or partially plugged. In some cases, the equipment interfacemodule 34, when provided, may include at least one flow sensor that iscapable of providing a measure that is related to the amount of air flowrestriction through the air filter 30. In some cases, the equipmentinterface module 34 may include an air filter monitor. These are justsome examples.

When provided, the equipment interface module 34 may be configured tocommunicate with the HVAC controller 18 via, for example, a wired orwireless communication link 42. In other cases, the equipment interfacemodule 34 may be incorporated or combined with the HVAC controller 18.In some instances, the equipment interface module 34 may communicate,relay or otherwise transmit data regarding the selected parameter (e.g,temperature, pressure, flow rate, etc.) to the HVAC controller 18. Insome cases, the HVAC controller 18 may use the data from the equipmentinterface module 34 to evaluate the system's operation and/orperformance. For example, the HVAC controller 18 may compare datarelated to the difference in temperature (delta T) between the returnair side and the discharge air side of the HVAC system 4 to a previouslydetermined delta T limit stored in the HVAC controller 18 to determine acurrent operating performance of the HVAC system 4. In other cases, theequipment interface module 34 may itself evaluate the system's operationand/or performance based on the collected data.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an illustrative HVAC control system 50that facilitates remote access and/or control of the illustrative HVACsystem 4 shown in FIG. 1. The HVAC control system 50 may be considered abuilding automation system or part of a building automation system. Theillustrative HVAC control system 50 includes an HVAC controller, as forexample, HVAC controller 18 (see FIG. 1) that is configured tocommunicate with and control one or more HVAC components 6 of the HVACsystem 4. As discussed above, the HVAC controller 18 may communicatewith the one or more HVAC components 6 of the HVAC system 4 via a wiredor wireless communication link 20. Additionally, the HVAC controller 18may communicate over one or more wired or wireless networks that mayaccommodate remote access and/or control of the HVAC controller 18 viaanother device such as a smart phone, tablet, e-reader, laptop computer,personal computer, key fob, or the like. As shown in FIG. 2, the HVACcontroller 18 may include a first communications port 52 forcommunicating over a first network 54, and in some cases, a secondcommunications port 56 for communicating over a second network 58. Insome cases, the first network 54 may be a wireless local area network(LAN), and the second network 58 (when provided) may be a wide areanetwork or global network (WAN) including, for example, the Internet. Insome cases, the wireless local area network 54 may provide a wirelessaccess point and/or a network host device that is separate from the HVAC controller 18. In other cases, the wireless local area network 54may provide a wireless access point and/or a network host device that ispart of the HVAC controller 18. In some cases, the wireless local areanetwork 54 may include a local domain name server (DNS), but this is notrequired for all embodiments. In some cases, the wireless local areanetwork 54 may be an ad-hoc wireless network, but this is not required.

In some cases, the HVAC controller 18 may be programmed to communicateover the second network 58 with an external web service hosted by one ormore external web server(s) 66. A non-limiting example of such anexternal web service is Honeywell's TOTAL. CONNECT™ web service. TheHVAC controller 18 may be configured to upload selected data via thesecond network 58 to the external web service where it may be collectedand stored on the external web server 66. In some cases, the data may beindicative of the performance of the HVAC system 4. Additionally, theHVAC controller 18 may be configured to receive and/or download selecteddata, settings and/or services sometimes including software updates fromthe external web service over the second network 58. The data, settingsand/or services may be received automatically from the web service,downloaded periodically in accordance with a control algorithm, and/ordownloaded in response to a user request. In some cases, for example,the HVAC controller 18 may be configured to receive and/or download anHVAC operating schedule and operating parameter settings such as, forexample, temperature set points, humidity set points, start times, endtimes, schedules, window frost protection settings, and/or the like fromthe web server 66 over the second network 58. In some instances, theHVAC controller 18 may be configured to receive one or more userprofiles having at least one operational parameter setting that isselected by and reflective of a user's preferences. In still otherinstances, the HVAC controller 18 may be configured to receive and/ordownload firmware and/or hardware updates such as, for example, devicedrivers from the web server 66 over the second network 58. Additionally,the HVAC controller 18 may be configured to receive local weather data,weather alerts and/or warnings, major stock index ticker data, trafficdata, and/or news headlines over the second network 58. These are justsome examples.

Depending upon the application and/or where the HVAC user is located,remote access and/or control of the HVAC controller 18 may be providedover the first network 54 and/or the second network 58. A variety ofremote wireless devices 62 may be used to access and/or control the HVACcontroller 18 from a remote location (e.g, remote from the HVACController 18) over the first network 54 and/or second network 58including, but not limited to, mobile phones including smart phones,tablet computers, laptop or personal computers, wireless network-enabledkey fobs, e-readers, and/or the like. In many cases, the remote wirelessdevices 62 are configured to communicate wirelessly over the firstnetwork 54 and/or second network 58 with the HVAC controller 18 via oneor more wireless communication protocols including, but not limited to,cellular communication, ZigBee, REDLINK™, Bluetooth, WiFi, IrDA,dedicated short range communication (DSRC), EnOcean, and/or any othersuitable common or proprietary wireless protocol, as desired. In somecases, the remote wireless devices 62 may communicate with the network54 via the external server 66 for security purposes, for example.

In some cases, an application program code (i.e. app) stored in thememory of the remote wireless device 62 may be used to remotely accessand/or control the HVAC controller 18. The application program code(app) may be downloaded from an external web service, such as the webservice hosted by the external web server 66 (e.g. Honeywell's TOTALCONNECT™ web service) or another external web service (e.g ITUNES® orGoogle Play). In some cases, the app may provide a remote user interfacefor interacting with the HVAC controller 18 at the user's remotewireless device 62. For example, through the user interface provided bythe app, a user may be able to change operating parameter settings suchas, for example, temperature set points, humidity set points, starttimes, end times, schedules, window frost protection settings, acceptsoftware updates and/or the like. Communications may be routed from theuser's remote wireless device 62 to the web server 66 and then, from theweb server 66 to the HVAC controller 18. In some cases, communicationsmay flow in the opposite direction such as, for example, when a userinteracts directly with the HVAC controller 18 to change an operatingparameter setting such as, for example, a schedule change or a set pointchange. The change made at the HVAC controller 18 may be routed to theweb server 66 and then from the web server 66 to the remote wirelessdevice 62 where it may reflected by the application program executed bythe remote wireless device 62.

In some cases, a user may be able to interact with the HVAC controller18 via a user interface provided by one or more web pages served up bythe web server 66. The user may interact with the one or more web pagesusing a variety of internet capable devices to effect a setting or otherchange at the HVAC controller 18, and in some cases view usage data andenergy consumption data related to the usage of the HVAC system 4. Insome cases, communication may occur between the user's remote wirelessdevice 62 and the HVAC controller 18 without being relayed through aserver such as external server 66. These are just some examples.

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a building structure 100 that maybe considered as being an example of the building 2 (FIG. 1). Asillustrated, the building structure 100 is divided into distinctbuilding spaces labeled 102, 104, 106 and 108. Each of the buildingspaces 102, 104, 106, 108 may be separate rooms, for example One or moreof the building spaces 102, 104, 106, 108 may instead refer to sectionsor portions of the building structure 100. For example, if the buildingstructure 100 has what is commonly known as an “open floor plan”, theremay not be walls dividing out and defining each of the building spaces102, 104, 106, 108. Some of the building spaces 102, 104, 106, 108 mayhave sizes or shapes that are different from others of the buildingspaces 102, 104, 106, 108. As illustrated, for example, the buildingspace 102 and the building space 104 are shown to be of the same sizeand shape. The building space 108 is longer in one dimension than thebuilding spaces 102, 104. The building space 106 can be seen as havingan L-shaped configuration. These relative sizes and shapes are merelyillustrative, and are intended to indicate that the building structure100 may be considered as being divided into a number of building spaces,regardless of whether the building spaces are defined by physical walls,or are portions of an open space that are divided by function.

Each of the building spaces 102, 104, 106, 108 can be seen as includinga sensor that may, for example, be considered as being an example of theremote sensor 21 (FIG. 1). The sensor may be a temperature sensor, forexample. Alternatively, or in addition, the sensor may include ahumidity sensor, an air quality sensor (e.g. CO₂ sensor, pollen sensor),a light sensor and/or any other suitable sensor in some instances, thesensor may also include an occupancy sensor (e.g. PIR sensor, microwavesensor, audio sensor, etc.). The building space 102 is shown asincluding a sensor 102 a, the building space 104 includes a sensor 104a, the building space 106 includes a sensor 106 a and a sensor 106 b,and the building space 108 includes a sensor 108 a. Each of the sensors102 a, 104 a, 106 a, 106 b, 108 a are in communication with an HVACcontroller 110. As illustrated, the sensors 102 a, 104 a, 106 a, 106 b,108 a are in wireless communication with the HVAC controller 110. Insome cases, one or more of the sensors may be hardwired to the HVACcontroller 110.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of the HVAC controller 110, whichmay be considered as being an example of the HVAC controller 18 (FIG.1). In some cases, the HVAC controller 110 may be a wall-mountablethermostat. As noted with respect to FIG. 3, the HVAC controller 100 maybe configured to receive signals from a plurality of sensors (such asthe sensors 102 a, 104 a, 106 a, 106 b, 108 a) that are positioned indifferent spaces within the building structure 100. The HVAC controller110 includes a housing 112 and a user interface 114 that is accessiblefrom an exterior of the housing 112. The HVAC controller 110 includes aninput 116 for receiving signals from the plurality of sensors. In somecases, the input 116 may be a wireless receiver or wireless transceiver.In some cases, one of the plurality of sensors may be located within thehousing 112 of the HVAC controller 110, as indicated by the sensor 120shown in FIG. 4, and at least one of the plurality of sensors may be aremote sensor that is located remote from the HVAC controller 110.

In some cases, the input 116 receives current temperatures reported fromeach of the sensors, with each current temperature corresponding to aparticular space in which each sensor is located. Each communication mayinclude an address of the sending sensor, so that HVAC controller 110can determine which sensor sent the reported temperature. A controller118 is operably coupled to the user interface 114 and to the input 116.In some cases, the controller 118 is configured to control the HVACsystem using a control temperature that is a weighted combination of twoor more of the current temperatures being reported by the plurality ofsensors. In some instances, the weighted combination is a weightedaverage of two or more of the current temperatures being reported by theplurality of sensors. The controller 118 may repeatedly receive, via theinput 116, updated current temperatures from each of the plurality ofsensors, and the controller 118 may be configured to utilize the updatedcurrent temperatures to produce an updated control temperature.

The controller 118 may track which of the different spaces (such as thebuilding spaces 102, 104, 106, 108 of FIG. 3) are currently occupied andhow long each of the currently occupied spaces have been occupied, andas a currently occupied space remains occupied for a longer period oftime, the controller 118 provides increasing weight over time to thecurrent temperature reported by the sensor that is in that currentlyoccupied space. The controller 118 may be configured to control the HVACsystem in order to drive the control temperature towards a temperatureset point. In some cases, the HVAC system may be a non-zoned HVACsystem.

In some cases, separate temperature and occupancy sensors may beprovided in each space. In other cases, at least some of the pluralityof sensors may not only report the current temperature but may alsoinclude an occupancy sensor to report an indication of occupancy to theHVAC controller 110 in some particular instances, each of the pluralityof sensors may include a motion sensor, and thus each of the pluralityof sensors may report an occupancy status in combination with a currenttemperature. As an illustrative example, the sensor 102 a may provide anindication that the building space 102 is currently occupied. In somecases, the controller 118 may be configured to more heavily weight thecurrent temperature reported by those of the plurality of sensors thatare in currently occupied spaces relative to the current temperaturereported by those of the plurality of sensors that are in currentlyunoccupied spaces.

In some cases, at least some of the plurality of sensors may include apriority ranking, and the controller 118 may be configured to weight thecurrent temperatures reported by sensors of the plurality of sensorsthat are in currently occupied spaces in accordance with the priorityranking of those sensors. In some instances, the controller 118 may beconfigured to assign higher weights to the current temperatures reportedby the sensors that have a higher priority ranking and to assign lowerweights to the current temperatures reported by the sensors that have alower priority ranking.

In some instances, the controller 118 may be operably coupled to theuser interface 114, the sensor 120 (when provided) and the input 116.The sensor 120 may be a temperature sensor and/or an occupancy sensor.The controller 118 may be configured to control the HVAC system inaccordance with a temperature set point and a control temperature inorder to drive the control temperature towards the temperature setpoint. In some cases, to illustrate, the control temperature may beequal to the current temperature that is sensed by the sensor 120 whenoccupancy is not indicated in any of the spaces in which the one or moreremote sensors are located. When occupancy is indicated, the controltemperature may be equal to a blended value of the current temperaturesensed by the sensor 120 and the current temperature provided by atleast one of the remote sensors where occupancy is indicated in thespace in which the particular sensor is located, and wherein the blendedvalue is increasingly influenced by the current temperature provided bythe at least one of the remote sensors with continued occupancy of thecorresponding space.

In some cases, the controller 118 may limit, or cap, how far the blendedvalue can deviate from the current temperature sensed by the sensor 120.The blended value may deviate further from the current temperaturesensed by the sensor 120 with continued occupancy in the space in whichthe particular sensor is located up to the cap. In some cases, the capmay be user definable, and may be a set temperature delta, say 3degrees, or 5 degrees, or 10 degrees. In some instances, the cap mayinstead be a particular percentage of the current temperature sensed bythe sensor 120. For example, the cap may be determined as 5 percent, orperhaps 10 percent of the current temperature sensed by the sensor 120.If the current sensed temperature is 72 degrees, the cap may represent adeparture of up to 3.6 degrees (5 percent) plus or minus, or even up to7.2 degrees (10 percent) plus or minus from the current temperaturesensed by the sensor 120. This is just an example.

In some instances, when at least some of the one or more remote sensorsinclude a priority ranking, the blended value is influenced more goingforward by the current temperature reported by a remote sensor that hasa higher priority ranking and is in a currently occupied space than aremote sensor that has a lower priority ranking and is in a currentlyoccupied space. In some cases, the blended value is a weighted average,and wherein a weight of the current temperature provided by at least oneof the remote sensors is increased over time with continued occupancy inthe space in which the particular sensor is located.

In some cases, the controller 118 may be configured to control an HVACsystem servicing the space in order to drive the control temperaturetowards a temperature set point. The control temperature is influencedby the current temperature provided by at least one of the plurality ofsensors where occupancy is indicated in the space in which theparticular sensor is located, and wherein the control temperature isincreasingly influenced over time with continued occupancy. In somecases, the controller 118 may be configured to track a relative priorityrating for at least two of the plurality of sensors and to provide moreweight to the current temperatures reported by those of the at least twoof the plurality of sensors that have a higher relative priority ratingand are in currently occupied spaces than those of the at least two ofthe plurality of sensors that have a lower relative priority rating andare in currently occupied spaces. In some cases, the controller 118 maybe configured to provide less or no weight to the current temperaturesreported by those of the plurality of sensors that are in currentlyunoccupied spaces.

FIG. 5 is a timing chart 130 showing an illustrative method of adjustinga control temperature of an HVAC system based on remote temperature andoccupancy sensors. Temperatures are shown relative to the Y-axis, andtime is shown relative to the X-axis. A plotted line 132 shows anaverage temperature as sensed by a temperature sensor (such as thesensor 120) within an HVAC controller, such as HVAC controller 110 ofFIG. 4. In the given example, the average temperature is 72 degrees F. Aplotted line 134 shows a control temperature, which is influenced by aremote sensor-1 temperature, which is plotted as a line 136, as well asby a remote sensor-2 temperature, which is plotted as a line 138. Asillustrated, the remote sensor-1 is reporting a steady detectedtemperature of 75 degrees F., for the space in which the remote sensor-1is located, and the remote sensor-2 is reporting a steady detectedtemperature of 70 degrees F., for the space in which the remote sensor-2is located. Indications of occupancy reported by the remote sensor-1 andthe remote sensor-2 are shown in a region 140 of the timing chart 130.

For illustrative purposes, the timing chart 130 is divided into timeperiods A, B, C, D, E and F. During time period A, it can be seen thatthe remote sensor-1 is reporting occupancy for the space in which theremote sensor-1 is located. Because the remote sensor-1 is reporting acurrent temperature (75 degrees) higher than that detected by thethermostat itself (72 degrees), the control temperature indicated by theplotted line 134 increases over time, such as perhaps over 10 minutes,20 minutes, 30 minutes, or any other suitable time period, beforereaching or approaching a cap of 73 degrees. During time period B, itcan be seen that the remote sensor-1 is no longer reporting occupancy,as indicated within the region 140 of the timing chart 130. Accordingly,the control temperature indicated by the plotted line 134 decreases overtime such as perhaps over 30 minutes, 60 minutes or any other suitabletime period, before returning to, for example, a temperature where itmatches the temperature (72 degrees) reported by the thermostat itself.During the time period C, it can be seen that the remote sensor-2 is nowreporting occupancy. Because the remote sensor-2 is reporting a currenttemperature (70 degrees) that is lower than that detected by thethermostat itself (72 degrees), the control temperature indicated by theplotted line 134 decreases over time as shown.

At the start of the time period D, the remote sensor-1 and the remotesensor-2 are both reporting occupancy. Because in this example theremote sensor-1 is prioritized over the remote sensor-2, the controltemperature indicated by the plotted line 134 increases over time, andeventually stabilizes at a temperature of 73 degrees (capped at 73degrees in this example). At the start of the time period E, the remotesensor-2 continues to report occupancy while the remote sensor-2 doesnot. As a result, the control temperature indicated by the plotted line134 decreases over time. At the end of the time period E, the remotesensor-2 is no longer reporting occupancy, so the control temperatureindicated by the plotted line 134 returns to equal the temperaturedetected by the thermostat (indicated by the plotted line 132). A smallblip in the control temperature can be seen during the time period F, asa result of a brief indication of occupancy by the remote sensor-2. Thisis a simple example, with only two remote sensors, and one sensorclearly having priority over the other sensor. It will be appreciatedthat an HVAC control system may have many more than two remote sensors,and that there may be a more complicated priority relationship betweenthe multiple sensors. In some cases, the control temperature may nothave a cap, and the controller 118 determines the control temperaturemerely using a weighted average of two or more different sensors. Insome instances, the weighting may be a function of a relative priorityassigned to one or more of the two or more different sensors. In someinstances, the control temperature may also be capped.

Returning to FIG. 4, in some cases the controller 118 may be configuredto display one or more screens on the user interface 114 that include ahome screen. With reference to FIG. 6, the home screen may include aselectable display element 158 that indicates a number of the pluralityof sensors that are currently being used by the controller 118 incontrolling the HVAC system. Upon selection by a user of the selectabledisplay element 158 on the home screen, and with reference to FIG. 7,the controller 118 may be configured to display a sensor priority screenthat includes a plurality of graphic constructs. Each graphic constructidentifies one of the different spaces in the building structure anddisplays a current temperature reported by the corresponding sensor inthat space. In some cases, a user is permitted to scroll through theplurality of graphic constructs on the sensor priority screen,particularly if there are more graphic constructs than will easily fiton the user interface 114 at one time.

In some instances, each of the graphic constructs may identify one ofthe different spaces in the building structure, display a currenttemperature for that space and display a current occupancy status forthat space. In some cases, at least some of the graphic constructs mayinclude an indication of whether any of the different spaces in thebuilding structure are currently calling for HVAC system activation, forexample. In some instances, at least some of the graphic constructs alsoinclude an indication of which of the different spaces in the buildingstructure have been designated as priority spaces, meaning that thecurrent temperatures for those spaces are currently being used by thecontroller 118 in controlling the HVAC system.

The sensor priority screen also designates which of the graphicconstructs correspond to each of the number of the plurality of sensorsthat are currently being used by the controller 118 in controlling theHVAC system. For example, in some instances, the controller 118 mayhighlight the graphic constructs to indicate which of the plurality ofsensors are currently being used by the controller 118 in controllingthe HVAC system. In some cases, at least some of the plurality ofgraphic constructs also include an indication of whether each of thedifferent spaces are currently occupied. The controller 118 isconfigured to control the HVAC system in accordance with the currenttemperature reported by each of the number of the plurality of sensorsthat are currently being used by the controller 118 in controlling theHVAC system.

In some instances, at least some of the plurality of sensors provide anindication of occupancy to the HVAC controller 110, and the currenttemperatures reported by the plurality of sensors that correspond to theoccupied spaces are used by the HVAC controller 110 in controlling theHVAC system. At least some of the different spaces in the buildingstructure may be designated as priority spaces regardless of currentoccupancy status of the different spaces. In some cases, each of theplurality of graphic constructs include an alphanumeric description thatidentifies the corresponding space. The HVAC controller 110 mayrepeatedly receive updated current temperatures from the plurality ofsensors and may be configured to refresh each graphic construct asupdates are received.

In some cases, the controller 118 may be configured to display theplurality of graphic constructs on the user interface 114 in either of afirst mode or a second mode, where the first mode and the second modeare user selectable via the user interface 114. In some cases, the usermay be allowed to select which spaces are designated as selected spacesin the first mode (see FIG. 7). At least some of the selected spaces maybe spaced that are designated to be priority spaces.

In some instances, and in the first mode, each graphic constructidentifies one of the different, spaces in the building structure anddisplays a current temperature reported by the corresponding sensor, andmay also designate whether the corresponding space is currently selectedfor use by the controller 118 in controlling the HVAC system. In someinstances, and in the second mode (see FIG. 9), each graphic constructidentifies one of the different spaces in the building structure anddisplays a current temperature reported by the corresponding sensor, andwherein in the second mode, at least some of the spaces reporting acurrent occupancy status of occupied will be used by the controller incontrolling the HVAC system. The controller 118 may, for example, beconfigured to control the HVAC system using the current temperaturereported by the sensors in the spaces that are a current occupancystatus of occupied, sometimes regardless of whether the sensors areselected as priority sensors by the user.

FIGS. 6 through 9 are screen captures illustrating screens that may bedisplayed on the user interface 114 of the HVAC controller 110. FIG. 6shows a screen 141 that may be displayed on the user interface 114. Insome cases, the screen 141 may be considered as being a home screen. Thecurrent temperature is 70 degrees, as indicated by a current temperatureicon 142. The current humidity is 50 percent, as indicated by a currenthumidity icon 144. The system is currently in heating mode, as indicatedby a mode graphic 146, which includes a current set point icon 148, adown arrow 150 for decreasing the set point and an up arrow 152 forincreasing the set point. A schedule icon 154 indicates that the HVACcontroller 110 is currently following a programmed schedule. A menubutton 156 provides additional functionality, as will be discussedsubsequently.

The screen 141 includes a selectable display element 158 that includesan icon 160 that indicates whether the controller 118 is controlling theHVAC system in accordance with one or more remote sensors that have beenindicated as having priority ranking (e.g, first mode), or in accordancewith one or more sensors indicating that particular rooms are occupied(e.g, second mode). The selectable display element 158 also includes anicon 162 that indicates how many remote sensors are currently beingrelied upon in controlling the HVAC system. As illustrated in FIG. 6,the HVAC controller 110 is using one remote sensor (indicated by theicon 162) and is controlling in accordance with a priority ranking (e.g,first mode, indicated by the icon 160). Selecting the selectable displayelement 158 in FIG. 6 will cause the HVAC controller 110 to display apriority screen 170, as shown for example in FIG. 7.

FIG. 7 shows the priority screen 170 displayed on the user interface 114of the HVAC controller 110. This is easily identified as the priorityscreen 170 by the PRIORITY indicia 172 displayed near the top. A BACKarrow 175 allows the user to return to the previous screen, if desired.The illustrative priority screen 170 includes a Selected Rooms icon 174and an Active Rooms icon 176. The Selected Rooms icon 174 ishighlighted, indicating that the HVAC controller 110 is controlling inaccordance with one or more selected sensors (e.g, first mode). Asillustrated in FIG. 6, it is only a single sensor in this particularexample. The priority screen 170 includes graphic constructsrepresenting each room that has a remote sensor. As illustrated, thereis a Living Room graphic construct 180, which is highlighted, a FamilyRoom graphic construct 182, a Master Bedroom graphic construct 184 and aGuest Bedroom graphic construct 186. As can be seen, each of the graphicconstructs 180, 182, 184, 186 include indicia identifying which buildingspace each corresponding sensor is located in. In some cases, asillustrated, each of the graphic constructs 180, 182, 184, 186 alsodisplay a current temperature value being reported to the HVACcontroller 110 from each of the remote temperature sensors. In somecases, the graphic constructs 180, 182, 184, 186 may also display acurrent occupancy status of the corresponding building space A DONEbutton 188, when selected, instructs the HVAC controller 110 to returnto a previous menu level.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are similar to FIGS. 6 and 7, but provide examples ofscreens that may be displayed by the HVAC controller 110 when the HVACcontroller 110 is controlling with respect to which room or rooms areactive or occupied (e.g second mode), as opposed to which rooms havebeen designated as having priority (e.g, first mode). FIG. 8 shows ascreen 190 that may be considered as being a home screen. The selectabledisplay element 158 shows that the HVAC controller 110 is controllingwith respect to active rooms, as indicated by the icon 160, and thatthere is one active room that is dictating control of the HVACcontroller 110, as indicated by the icon 162. In FIG. 9, it can be seenthat it is the sensor in the family room that is currently providing anoccupied or active status, and thus it is the temperature of 71 degreesreported by that particular sensor that is being used in controllingoperation of the HVAC system.

Returning to FIG. 4, in some cases the controller 118 may be configuredto be an AUTOCHANGEOVER mode, where the controller 118 automaticallychanges between a HEAT mode and a COOL mode in accordance with a sensedtemperature in the building structure, a HEAT temperature set point anda COOL temperature set point. This means that there may be a HEATtemperature set point and a COOL temperature set point both active atthe same time. If a sensed temperature within the building structuredrops below the HEAT temperature set point, and beyond a hysteresisfactor, the controller 118 will turn on the heat to control to the HEATtemperature set point. If a sensed temperature within the buildingstructure increases above the COOL, temperature set point, and beyond ahysteresis factor, the controller 118 will turn on the air conditioningor other cooling apparatus to control to the COOL temperature set point.In some cases, spring and fall days may provide examples of when theheat and the air conditioning may legitimately both be used in thecourse of a single day. An overnight temperature may be low enough tojustify turning on the heat. As the day heats up, the internaltemperature of the building structure may increase to a point thatcooling is justified.

In this, it will be appreciated that the COOL temperature set point mustbe higher than the HEAT temperature set point. In many cases, there is aminimum temperature difference, referred to as a deadband, that isenforced between the HEAT temperature set point and the COOL temperatureset point. The deadband may be user-selectable and/orinstaller-selectable. In some instances, the deadband may befactory-programmable. In a particular example, the deadband may be 2degrees or 3 degrees. It will be appreciated that if the system is in anAUTOCHANGEOVER mode, in which the controller 118 may be configured toautomatically change between a HEAT mode and a COOL mode in accordancewith a sensed temperature in the building structure, there can bedifficulties if a user tries to adjust the HEAT temperature set pointupwards too close to the COOL temperature set point, or if the usertries to adjust the COOL temperature set point downwards too close tothe HEAT temperature set point.

The controller 118 is configured to display one or more screens on theuser interface displaying the HEAT temperature set point and the COOLtemperature set point and allowing a user to change the HEAT temperatureset point and/or the COOL temperature set point. The controller 118 isconfigured to enforce a minimum DEADBAND between the HEAT temperatureset point and the COOL temperature set point when the user adjusts oneof the HEAT temperature set point and the COOL temperature set pointtowards the other of the HEAT temperature set point and the COOLtemperature set point to an extent that would violate the minimumDEADBAND by automatically adjusting the other of the HEAT temperatureset point and the COOL temperature set point from an original setting tomaintain the minimum DEADBAND. When the user subsequently adjusts theone of the HEAT temperature set point and the COOL temperature set pointback away from the other of the HEAT temperature set point and the COOLtemperature set point after the controller 118 has adjusted the other ofthe HEAT temperature set point and the COOL temperature set point, thecontroller 118 may also adjust the other of the HEAT temperature setpoint and the COOL temperature set point back in order to maintain theminimum DEADBAND until the other of the HEAT temperature set point andthe COOL temperature set point reaches its original setting.

In some cases, the controller 118 is configured to display a HEATtemperature set point icon that includes a numeric representation of theHEAT temperature set point and a COOL temperature set point icon thatincludes a numeric representation of the COOL temperature set point. Inresponse to the user selecting one of the HEAT temperature set pointicon and the COOL temperature set point icon, the controller 118 maydisplay the selected temperature set point and an UP arrow and a DOWNarrow (or a rotary dial or knob, slider button, etc.) that can be usedto raise or lower the selected temperature set point. In some instances,the controller 118 is configured to display the HEAT temperature setpoint and the COOL temperature set point on a graphical representationof a relationship between the HEAT temperature set point and the COOLtemperature set point (see, for example, FIG. 14A-14D). The controller118 may then move the displayed HEAT temperature set point and the COOLtemperature set point on the graphical representation in response to theuser adjusting one of the HEAT temperature set point and the COOLtemperature set point and/or in response to the controller 118automatically adjusting the other of the HEAT temperature set point andthe COOL temperature set point in order to maintain the minimumDEADBAND. In some instances, when the controller 118 automaticallyadjusts the other of the HEAT temperature set point and the COOLtemperature set point from the original setting to maintain the minimumDEADBAND, the controller 118 may display an alphanumeric messageinforming the user why the controller 118 has adjusted the other of theHEAT temperature set point and the COOL temperature set point.

In some instances, the user must subsequently adjust the one of the HEATtemperature set point and the COOL temperature set point back away fromthe other of the HEAT temperature set point and the COOL temperature setpoint within a predetermined time window after the controller 118 hasadjusted the other of the HEAT temperature set point and the COOLtemperature set point in order for the controller 118 to also re-adjustthe other of the HEAT temperature set point and the COOL temperature setpoint back in order to maintain the minimum DEADBAND until the other ofthe HEAT temperature set point and the COOL temperature set pointreaches its original setting. This can be considered a re-adjustmenttime out feature.

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram shoving an illustrative method 200 forenforcing a minimum DEADBAND between a HEAT temperature set point and aCOOL temperature set point in an AUTOCHANGEOVER mode of a Heating,Cooling and Ventilation (HVAC) controller. As indicated at block 202, auser input is received that adjusts an original HEAT temperature setpoint to a higher HEAT temperature set point value that would beginviolating the minimum DEADBAND between the adjusted HEAT temperature setpoint and an original COOL, temperature set point. As indicated at block204, and while the adjusted HEAT temperature set point remains higherthan the higher HEAT temperature set point value, the original COOLtemperature set point is automatically adjusted to track the adjustedHEAT temperature set point in order to maintain the minimum DEADBANDbetween the adjusted HEAT temperature set point and the adjusted COOLtemperature set point. When the adjusted HEAT temperature set point isadjusted back down to or below the higher HEAT temperature set pointvalue, the adjusted COOL temperature set point is returned to theoriginal COOL temperature set point and ceases to track the adjustedHEAT temperature set point, as indicated at block 206.

In some cases, and as optionally indicated at block 208, a user input isreceived that adjusts an original COOL temperature set point to a lowerCOOL temperature set point value that would begin violating the minimumDEADBAND between the adjusted COOL temperature set point and an originalHEAT temperature set point. As indicated at block 210 and while theadjusted COOL temperature set point remains below the lower COOLtemperature set point value, the original HEAT temperature set point isautomatically adjusted to track the adjusted COOL temperature set pointin order to maintain the minimum DEADBAND between the adjusted COOLtemperature set point and the adjusted HEAT temperature set point. Whenthe adjusted COOL temperature set point is adjusted back up to or abovethe lower COOL temperature set point value, and as indicated at block212, the adjusted HEAT temperature set point is returned to the originalHEAT temperature set point and ceases to track the adjusted COOLtemperature set point.

FIG. 11 is a flow diagram showing an illustrative method 214 forenforcing a minimum DEADBAND between a HEAT temperature set point and aCOOL temperature set point in an AUTOCHANGEOVER mode of a Heating,Cooling and Ventilation (HVAC) controller. As indicated at block 202, auser input is received that adjusts an original HEAT temperature setpoint to a higher HEAT temperature set point value that would beginviolating the minimum DEADBAND between the adjusted HEAT temperature setpoint and an original COOL temperature set point. As indicated at block204, and while the adjusted HEAT temperature set point remains higherthan the higher HEAT temperature set point value, the original COOLtemperature set point is automatically adjusted to track the adjustedHEAT temperature set point in order to maintain the minimum DEADBANDbetween the adjusted HEAT temperature set point and the adjusted COOLtemperature set point. When the adjusted HEAT temperature set point isadjusted back down to or below the higher HEAT temperature set pointvalue, the adjusted COOL temperature set point is returned to theoriginal COOL temperature set point and ceases to track the adjustedHEAT temperature set point, as indicated at block 206.

In some cases, and as optionally indicated at block 216, a HEATtemperature set point icon may be displayed that includes a numericrepresentation of the HEAT temperature set point. In response to a userselecting the HEAT temperature set point icon, and as indicated at block218, the HEAT temperature set point and one or more adjustment icons maybe displayed that can be used to raise or lower the HEAT temperature setpoint.

FIG. 12 is a flow diagram showing an illustrative method 220 forenforcing a minimum DEADBAND between a HEAT temperature set point and aCOOL temperature set point in an AUTOCHANGEOVER mode of a Heating,Cooling and Ventilation (HVAC) controller. As indicated at block 202, auser input is received that adjusts an original HEAT temperature setpoint to a higher HEAT temperature set point value that would beginviolating the minimum DEADBAND between the adjusted HEAT temperature setpoint and an original COOL temperature set point. As indicated at block204, and while the adjusted HEAT temperature set point remains higherthan the higher HEAT temperature set point value, the original COOLtemperature set point is automatically adjusted to track the adjustedHEAT temperature set point in order to maintain the minimum DEADBANDbetween the adjusted HEAT temperature set point and the adjusted COOLtemperature set point. When the adjusted HEAT temperature set point isadjusted back down to or below the higher HEAT temperature set pointvalue, the adjusted COOL temperature set point is returned to theoriginal COOL temperature set point and ceases to track the adjustedHEAT temperature set point, as indicated at block 206.

In some cases, and as optionally indicated at block 222, the HEATtemperature set point and the COOL temperature set point may bedisplayed on a graphical representation of a relationship between theHEAT temperature set point and the COOL temperature set point. Asindicated at block 224, the graphical representation may be updated asthe HEAT temperature set point and the COOL temperature set point areadjusted.

FIG. 13 is a flow diagram showing an illustrative method 226 forenforcing a minimum DEADBAND between a HEAT temperature set point and aCOOL temperature set point in an AUTOCHANGEOVER mode of a Heating,Cooling and Ventilation (HVAC) controller. As indicated at block 202, auser input is received that adjusts an original HEAT temperature setpoint to a higher HEAT temperature set point value that would beginviolating the minimum DEADBAND between the adjusted HEAT temperature setpoint and an original COOL temperature set point. As indicated at block204, and while the adjusted HEAT temperature set point remains higherthan the higher HEAT temperature set point value, the original COOLtemperature set point is automatically adjusted to track the adjustedHEAT temperature set point in order to maintain the minimum DEADBANDbetween the adjusted HEAT temperature set point and the adjusted COOLtemperature set point. When the adjusted HEAT temperature set point isadjusted back down to or below the higher HEAT temperature set pointvalue, the adjusted COOL temperature set point is returned to theoriginal COOL temperature set point and ceases to track the adjustedHEAT temperature set point, as indicated at block 206.

In some cases, and as optionally indicated at block 228, the methodincludes timing how long the adjusted HEAT temperature set point remainsabove the higher HEAT temperature set point value. After a predeterminedperiod of no user adjustments to the HEAT temperature set point whilethe adjusted HEAT temperature set point remains above the higher HEATtemperature set point value, and as indicated at block 230, the methodincludes ceasing to track the adjusted COOL temperature set point withthe adjusted HEAT temperature set point when the adjusted HEATtemperature set point is adjusted back down below the higher HEATtemperature set point value.

FIGS. 14A through 14D provide an illustration of how the controller 118may permit a user to adjust the HEAT temperature set point whilemaintaining a minimum DEADBAND. While FIGS. 14A through 14D show theuser adjusting the HEAT temperature set point, the user may adjust theCOOL temperature set point in a similar fashion. In FIG. 14A, thecontroller 118 is displaying a home screen 240. In this particularexample, it can be seen that the controller 118 is controlling the HVACsystem in accordance with temperature values provided by two remotetemperature sensors that are both in rooms currently indicated to beoccupied. The current temperature is 74 degrees, the humidity is at 28percent, and the controller 118 is operating in accordance with a timeperiod that ends at 12:30 pm that day. The home screen 240 includes aHEAT temperature set point icon 242 indicating that the HEAT temperatureset point is 74 degrees and a COOL temperature set point icon 244indicating that the COOL temperature set point is 77 degrees. For thisexample, it will be appreciated that the minimum DEADBAND has been setequal to 3 degrees. As an example, selecting the HEAT temperature setpoint icon 242 causes the controller 118 to display a screen 246 asshown in FIG. 14B.

As seen in FIG. 14B, the screen 246 includes a current HEAT temperatureset point icon 248 as well as a down arrow 250 and an up arrow 252 thatmay be used to adjust the current HEAT temperature set point. The screen246 also includes a graphical representation 254 of a relationshipbetween the HEAT temperature set point and the COOL temperature setpoint. As illustrated, the current HEAT temperature set point isdisplayed on the graphical representation 254 as a bolded or highlightedline while the current COOL temperature set point is indicated both bybolded or highlighted line as well as a numerical display of the currentCOOL temperature set point. The screen 246 also includes a CANCEL button256 that cancels the change to the HEAT temperature set point as well asa DONE button 258 that tells the controller 118 that the user hascompleted their intended change to the HEAT temperature set point.Hitting the up arrow 252 on the screen 246 causes the controller 118 todisplay a screen 260 as shown in FIG. 14C.

As seen in FIG. 14C, the screen 260 shows what happens when the userattempts to violate the DEADBAND. As previously noted, in this examplethe minimum DEADBAND is 3 degrees. By increasing the HEAT temperatureset point from 74 degrees to 75 degrees, the controller 118automatically increased the COOL temperature set point from 77 degreesto 78 degrees in order to preserve the 3 degree minimum DEADBAND. Thecontroller 118 also displays an alphanumeric message 262, directlybeneath the graphical representation 254, informing the user of theminimum DEADBAND requirement. If the user were to select the DONE button258 at this point, the new HEAT temperature set point would be 75degrees and the new COOL temperature set point would be 78 degrees.

However, if the user selects the down arrow 250, as indicated, thecontroller 118 will display a screen 270 as shown in FIG. 14D. As can beseen, since the user reduced the HEAT temperature set point back to 74degrees, the controller 118 was able to automatically return the COOLtemperature set point back to its original 77 degree setting. If theuser were to further reduce the HEAT temperature set point, the COOLtemperature set point would remain at its original COOL temperature setpoint of 77 degrees.

FIG. 15 is a schematic block diagram of an illustrative HVAC controller280 for controlling an HVAC system within a building structure. Theillustrative HVAC controller 280 includes a housing 282 and a userinterface 284 that is accessible from an exterior of the housing 282. Acontroller 286 is operably coupled to the user interface 284 and isconfigured to display a HOME screen on the user interface 284. In thisexample, the HOME screen provides the user with current system operatinginformation as well as enables the user to access a hierarchical menustructure for viewing and/or editing one or more settings of the HVACcontroller 280. In some cases, the hierarchical menu structure includesa plurality of menu branches each having two or more hierarchical menulevels with a leaf menu at the bottom of each branch. For a first groupof the leaf menus, the user must navigate “back” through at least someof the hierarchical menu structure to return to the HOME screen, or waitfor a timeout period to expire which then automatically returns to theHOME screen. For a second group of the leaf menus, the user is returnedto the HOME screen (or some other screen other than the next higher menuin the hierarchical menu structure) after the user indicates the user isdone with the leaf menu, without having to wait for the timeout period.

In some cases, the second group of the leaf menus includes a leaf menufor changing a system mode of the HVAC controller 280 in some instances,the second group of the leaf menus includes a leaf menu for changing afan mode of the HVAC controller 280. The second group of the leaf menusmay include a leaf menu for changing a sensor priority of the HVACcontroller 280. The second group of the leaf menus may include a leafmenu for changing a humidity setting of the HVAC controller 280. In somecases, the second group of the leaf menus includes a leaf menu forchanging a ventilation setting of the HVAC controller 280.

In some cases, at least some of the second group of leaf menus include afirst icon that the user can select to indicate the user is done withthe leaf menu, and in response to the user selecting the first icon, thecontroller 286 reverts back to the HOME screen as well as a second iconthat the user can select to indicate the user is done with the leafmenu, and in response to the user selecting the second icon, thecontroller 286 reverts to a MENU screen just below the HOME screen inthe hierarchical menu structure.

The first group of the leaf menus may include a leaf menu for changingone or more system management parameters, wherein the one or more systemmanagement parameters include one or more of device and sensor settings,thermostat information settings, equipment status settings,dehumidification away mode settings, and dealer information. In somecases, the first group of the leaf menus may include a leaf menu forchanging one or more system configuration parameters, wherein the one ormore system configuration parameters include one or more of securitysettings, preferences and installer options. At least some of the firstgroup of the leaf menus may include a BACK icon for navigating to a nexthigher menu in the hierarchical menu structure. In some cases, at leastsome of the first group of the leaf menus includes an icon that the usercan select to indicate the user is done with the leaf menu, and inresponse to the user selecting the icon, the controller 286 reverts to aMENU screen just below the HOME screen in the hierarchical menustructure.

In some cases, the HOME Screen includes a MENU icon. In response to theuser selecting the MENU icon, the controller 286 is configured todisplay a MENU screen on the user interface 284, the MENU screen mayinclude a plurality of items that can be selected by the user in orderto change one or more settings pertaining to the selected item, wherethe controller 286 uses the one or more settings in controlling one ormore features of the HVAC system. In some cases, the one or moresettings pertain to one or more of mode settings, fan settings, prioritysettings, schedule settings, weather settings, humidification settings,dehumidification settings and ventilation settings.

In response to the user selecting an item on the MENU screen, thecontroller 286 is configured to display one or more sub-menu screens onthe user interface 284 that solicit the user to enter and/or change oneor more settings that pertain to the selected item. When the user hasindicated that they have completed entering and/or changing the one ormore settings that pertain to the selected item, typically on a leafmenu in the hierarchical menu structure, the controller 286 isconfigured to revert to displaying the HOME screen, which is at the topof the hierarchical menu structure. In some cases, the user indicatesthat they have completed entering and/or changing the one or moresettings that pertain to the selected item by selecting an icon such asa DONE icon that is displayed on the one or more menu screens. When theuser decides not to enter or change any of the one or more settings thatpertain to the selected item, the user can instruct the controller 286to revert to the MENU screen, such as by selecting a RETURN icon.Alternatively, after the user has entered and/or changed the one or moresettings that pertain to the selected item, and the user has selectedthe RETURN icon, the controller 286 is configured to revert to the MENUscreen. In some cases, in response to the user selecting at least oneother item on the MENU screen, the controller 286 is configured todisplay one or more menu screens on the user interface 284 that solicitthe user to enter and/or change one or more settings that pertain to theselected item, where the one or more menu screens do not include a DONEicon that would revert directly to the HOME screen.

FIG. 16 shows an illustrative screen 300 that may be displayed on theuser interface 114. In some cases, the screen 300 may be considered asbeing a home screen. The current temperature is 70 degrees, as indicatedby the current temperature icon 142. The current humidity is 50 percent,as indicated by the current humidity icon 144. The system is currentlyin heating mode, as indicated by the mode graphic 146, which includesthe current set point icon 148, the down arrow 150 for decreasing theset point and the up arrow 152 for increasing the set point. Theschedule icon 154 indicates that the HVAC controller 110 is currentlyfollowing a programmed schedule. The menu button 156 provides access toadditional functionality.

In one example, selecting the menu button 156 will cause the HVACcontroller 110 (FIG. 4) or the HVAC controller 280 (FIG. 15) to displaya list of menu items on a menu screen. The specific items listed mayvary, depending on what sort of equipment is part of the HVAC system,what remote sensors have been configured, and the like. FIG. 17A shows alist 302 of a first group of menu items displayed on the menu screen andFIG. 17B shows a list 304 of a second group of menu items displayed onthe menu screen. In some cases, the list 302 may include a column 306 ofgraphical icons that may for example be used on other screens, a column308 of text identifying each menu item, as well as a column 310providing an indication of the current setting for each of the menuitems. The list 304 may simply provide a single column listing menuitems. In some cases, the items on the list 304 may be divided intomanagement items 312 and configuration items 314, but this is notrequired. In some cases, the first group of menu items may provide for away to return directly to the HOME screen (see FIG. 16) while the secondgroup of menu items may not permit a direct return to the HOME screen,but may instead revert to a previous or next level up menu in thehierarchical menu structure.

Returning to FIG. 17A, and in the example shown, selecting the Mode itemfrom the list 302 causes the HVAC controller 110, 280 to display a leafscreen 320, as shown in FIG. 18. The leaf screen 320 includes a RETURNbutton 322, which if selected returns the user to the previous menuscreen, and a DONE button 324, which if selected returns the userdirectly to the HOME screen. The leaf screen 320 enables the user tochange the current mode of the HVAC controller 110, 280, if desired. Asshown, the options are HEAT mode, as indicated by a HEAT icon 326, aCOOL mode, as indicated by a COOL icon 328, an AUTOCHANGEOVER mode, asindicated by an AUTO icon 330, and OFF, as indicated by an OFF icon 332.The user has elected to change to the AUTOCHANGEOVER mode, as indicatedby the AUTO icon 330 being highlighted. At this point, selecting theRETURN button 322 would simply return the user to the previous menu(e.g. FIG. 17A) without saving any changes. However, selecting the DONEbutton 324 will cause the changes to go into effect, and will cause theHVAC controller 110, 280 to revert to a HOME screen (e.g. FIG. 16). FIG.19 provides an example of a screen 331 that may be displayed in responseto the user selecting the DONE button 324 in FIG. 18. The screen 331 isa HOME screen, but the mode graphic 146 now includes a HEAT temperatureset point icon 148 a and a COOL temperature set point icon 148 b, as aresult of switching the system from the HEAT mode to the AUTOCHANGEOVERmode. It will be appreciated that selecting the DONE button 324 aftermaking changes to any of the menu items in the first group will have asimilar result.

Returning to FIG. 17B, choosing Devices and Settings from the secondlist 304 may cause the display of a screen 340 that displays a list 342of installed devices with their current settings, as shown in FIG. 20. ARETURN button 344 (see FIG. 20) enables the user to return to theprevious menu (e.g. FIG. 17B). An identify button 346 allows a user toinstruct one of the remote sensors to identify itself, such as byilluminating an LED or making an audible sound. An Add button 348 allowsa user to configure additional sensors and other devices. It will benoted that there is no DONE button on the screen 340. Once the user hasmade their edits, or decided against it, they simply press the RETURNbutton 344 to return to the previous menu (e g. FIG. 17B).

FIG. 21 is a flow diagram illustrating a method 350 for automaticallygenerating an HVAC schedule for a building, wherein the HVAC scheduleincludes two or more time periods and each time period includes atemperature set point. In some instances, the method 350 may be carriedout in the HVAC controller 110 or the HVAC controller 280. In somecases, the method 350 may be carried out at least in part in the remoteserver 66 (FIG. 1) A thermal model for the building is stored, where thethermal model includes among other things an indication of the energyefficiency of an HVAC system of the building, as indicated at block 352.The thermal model may also include an indication of the thermalefficiency of the building envelope. In some cases, the thermal modelmay be tailored to the particular building, and may be based at least inpart on a historical performance of the HVAC system, external weatherconditions, etc. In some instances, the indication of the energyefficiency of the HVAC system in the building is entered by a user, suchas by entering the SEER number, a model number, and/or any otherindication that can be used to identify an efficiency level of the HVACsystem. Alternatively, or in addition, the indication of the energyefficiency of the HVAC system can be generated based on a historicalperformance of the HVAC system over time and under different weatherconditions.

In some cases, a weather forecast predicting future weather at thelocation of the building may be received, as noted at block 354. As seenat block 356, a cost estimate for energy that will be supplied to theHVAC system is received. In some cases, the cost estimate for energy(e.g, cost of natural gas, cost of electricity, etc.) that is suppliedto the HVAC system is provided by a utility, sometimes throughout a day.In some cases, the cost estimate for energy that is supplied to the HVACsystem is entered by the user. In some cases, the cost estimate forenergy that is supplied to the HVAC system may include a cost forecastpredicting future energy costs over a future period of time.

In some cases, a desired budget for the cost of operating the HVACsystem over a future period of time may be received from the user, asindicated at block 358. An HVAC schedule covering the future period oftime that is predicted to meet the desired budget of the user may begenerated using the thermal model, the weather forecast, the costestimate for energy and the desired budget of the user, as noted atblock 360. The HVAC system may then be controlled using the generatedHVAC schedule, as indicated at block 362. In some cases, generating theHVAC schedule covering the future period of time includes definingtemperature set points for one or more of the two or more time periodsof the HVAC schedule. In some instances, generating the HVAC schedulecovering the future period of time includes defining a beginning and/oran ending time for one or more of the two or more time periods of theHVAC schedule. In some cases, generating the HVAC schedule covering thefuture period of time includes adding and/or eliminating time periods ofthe HVAC schedule. Generating the HVAC schedule covering the futureperiod of time may include defining a ventilation setting and/or ahumidity setting for one or more of the two or more time periods of theHVAC schedule. These are just examples.

FIG. 22 is a flow diagram of an illustrative method 364 for generating aconditions based setback temperature. In some instances, the method 364may be carried out in the HVAC controller 110 or the HVAC controller280. In some cases, the method 364 may be carried out at least in partin the remote server 66 (FIG. 1). As indicated at block 366, a thermalmodel for a building may be stored. The thermal model may include amongother things an indication of the energy efficiency of the HVAC systemin the building. An outdoor temperature at the location of the buildingmay be received, as indicated at block 368. A cost estimate for energythat will be supplied to the HVAC system may be received, as indicatedat block 370. As indicated at block 372, the thermal model, the outdoortemperature, and the cost estimate for energy may be used to generate aconditions based setback temperature. In some cases, the conditionsbased setback temperature may be static or may change during a period oftime when energy savings are desired, such as during setback period inan HVAC schedule. For example, in some cases, as the outdoor temperaturefalls overnight, the conditions based setback temperature may also fall.As the outdoor temperature rises toward morning, the conditions basedsetback temperature may also rise. This is just an example. It iscontemplated that the HVAC system may be controlled using a comforttemperature set point when comfort is desired in the building and usingthe conditions based setback temperature when energy saving is desired,as indicated at block 374.

In some cases, a weather forecast predicting future weather at thelocation of the building may be received, wherein the weather forecastincludes the outdoor temperature at the location of the building. Insome instances, the comfort temperature set point and the conditionsbased setback temperature are part of a programmed HVAC schedule thatincludes at least one comfort time period that uses the comforttemperature set point and at least one energy saving time period thatuses the conditions based setback temperature. The HVAC controller,using the thermal model, the outdoor temperature, and the cost estimatefor energy, may adjust a beginning and/or an ending time of one or moreof the at least one energy saving time period, and may set theconditions based setback temperature for each energy saving time period.

FIG. 23 is a schematic block diagram of a system 380 that may beconfigured to help generate conditions based setback temperatures forone or more HVAC systems in one or more buildings. The system 380 isillustrated as including a server 382, which may be considered as beingan example of the remote server 66 (FIG. 1), a building 384, a building386, a building 388 and a building 390. That a total of four building isshown is merely illustrative, as there may be any number of buildings.The building 384 includes an HVAC system 384 a, the building 386includes an HVAC system 386 a, the building 388 includes an HVAC system388 a and the building 390 includes an HVAC system 390 a. The server 382may be configured to generate a thermal model for each of the buildings384, 386, 388, 390. While not necessarily required, each of the thermalmodels may include an indication of the energy efficiency of an HVACsystem in the corresponding building. The server 382 may receive aweather forecast predicting future weather at the location of each ofbuildings 384, 386, 388, 390 as well as receiving a cost estimate forenergy that will be supplied to the HVAC system of each of the buildings384, 386, 388, 390. For each of the buildings 384, 386, 388, 390, theserver 382 may use the thermal model, the outdoor temperature, and thecost estimate for energy associated with a corresponding building togenerate a conditions based setback temperature for the HVAC system ofthe corresponding building. For each of the buildings 384, 386, 388,390, the server 382 may send the corresponding conditions based setbacktemperature to an HVAC controller of the HVAC system 384 a, 386 a, 388a, 390 a of the corresponding building.

In some cases, the thermal model for each of the buildings 384, 386,388, 390 may be based on indoor temperature readings received via theHVAC controller of the HVAC system 384 a, 386 a, 388 a, 390 a, on/offtimes of the HVAC system 384 a, 386 a, 388 a, 390 a of the correspondingbuilding, and/or outdoor temperature conditions at the correspondingbuilding. In some instances, the thermal model for a particular one ofthe plurality of buildings 384, 386, 388, 390 may be based oninformation received from at least one other of the plurality ofbuildings 384, 386, 388, 390. The server 382 may also receive from eachof the buildings 384, 386, 388, 390 one or more equipment and/orconfiguration settings for the corresponding HVAC system 384 a, 386 a,388 a, 390 a, one or more user settings for the corresponding HVACsystem 384 a, 386 a, 388 a, 390 a, and/or one or more recorded userinteractions for the corresponding HVAC system 384 a, 386 a, 388 a, 390a.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a thermostat assembly 400 forcontrolling an HVAC system and FIG. 25 is an exploded perspective viewof the thermostat assembly 400 positioned relative to an adaptor plate402 and a wall mountable connector 404. The thermostat assembly 400 may,for example, be considered as being an example of the HVAC controller 18(FIG. 1), the HVAC controller 110 (FIG. 4) or the HVAC controller 280(FIG. 15). The thermostat assembly 400 may include a thermostat 406 anda trim ting 408. The trim ring 408 is also illustrated in FIG. 26, whichis a perspective view thereof, and in FIG. 27, which is across-sectional view taken along line 27-27 of FIG. 26.

While the trim ring 408 is not required for function of the thermostat406, the trim ring 408 does provide part of the design aesthetic of thethermostat assembly 400 as well as functioning as a cover plate thathelps to cover blemishes on a wall to which the thermostat assembly 400will be mounted. As will be discussed, the trim ring 408 may also helpto both accommodate and hide from view the adaptor plate 402 and thewall mountable connector 404, when present. In some cases, the adaptorplate 402 may be configured to be secured to an in-wall junction box,although this is not required. In some cases, the trim ring 408 may beconsidered as appropriate for use with the thermostat 406 when the wallmountable connector 404 is secured to the adaptor plate 402, rather thanhaving the wall mountable connector 404 secured directly to a wall orother vertical mounting surface without the adaptor plate 402.

The thermostat 406 includes a user interface 410 such as, but notlimited to, a touch screen display and a thermostat housing 412. Asshown in FIG. 25, the thermostat housing 412 includes a front portion414 with a front portion side wall 416 and a back portion 418 with aback portion side wall 420. In some cases, as illustrated, the backportion side wall 420 is inwardly offset from the front portion sidewall 416, resulting in a smaller cross-section along the back portionside wall 420. As can be seen, in some cases, the back portion side wall420 defines a smaller perimeter than the front portion side wall 416.The user interface 410 is accessible from a position exterior the frontportion 414. The illustrative thermostat 406 includes a controller (suchas the controller 118 or the controller 286) that is disposed within thethermostat housing 412. The controller 118, 286 is configured to acceptinput from the user via the user interface 410 and to provide one ormore control signals to control a corresponding HVAC system, oftenthrough a wall mountable connector 404.

The trim ring 408 has a front side 422 and a back side 424. The backside 424 is configured to face a mounting wall (not illustrated) and thefront side 422 is configured to receive at least part of the backportion 418 of the thermostat housing 412. The trim ring 408 includes anouter surface 426 that transitions from a larger back side profile to asmaller front side profile. In some instances, the front portion 414 ofthe thermostat housing 412 has a profile adjacent the trim ring 408, andthe profile of the front side 422 of the trim ring 408 may be configuredto match the profile of the front portion 414 of the thermostat housing412 adjacent the trim ring 408.

As can be seen in FIG. 24, the profile of the trim ring 408 may flowsmoothly into the profile of the thermostat housing 412 to provide adesirable design aesthetic. The front side 422 of the trim ring 408includes a thermostat recess 428 that is configured to receive at leastpart of the back portion 418 of the thermostat housing 412. In somecases, the thermostat housing 412 may include a vent relief 430 that isformed along a lower edge (and/or upper edge) of the thermostat housing412, and the trim ring 408 may include a corresponding vent relief 432formed along a lower edge (and/or upper edge) of the trim ring 408. Incombination, the vent relief 430 of the thermostat housing 412 and thevent relief 432 of the trim ring 408 may form a vent aperture 434, bestseen in FIG. 24.

As seen in FIG. 25, the trim ring 408 may have a thermostat recess 428that is configured to accommodate at least part of the back portion 418of the thermostat housing 412. In some instances, as illustrated, thethermostat recess 428 has a depth that is defined by a back wall 436.The depth of the thermostat recess 428 may be seen, for example, in FIG.27. In some cases, the depth of the thermostat recess 428 may be equalor about equal to a corresponding depth of the back portion 418 of thethermostat housing 412. FIG. 27 shows that the trim ring 408 may includean adaptor plate recess 438 that is configured to accommodate theadaptor plate 402 within the adaptor plate recess 438. As a result, aback side 424 of the trim ring 408 is able to come into contact and beflush with the wall or other vertical surface to which the thermostatassembly 400 is mounted.

In the example shown, an aperture 440 extends through the back wall 436of the thermostat recess 428 in order to accommodate the wall mountableconnector 404. It will be appreciated that the aperture 440 may have ashape that accommodates or corresponds to that of the wall mountableconnector 404, such that the trim ring 408 may be secured to the adaptorplate 402 after the wall mountable connector 404 has been secured to theadaptor plate 402. The illustrative wall mountable connector 404 has afirst side 442 for facing the wall and a second, opposing, side 444. Thewall mountable connector 404 is configured to be secured to the adaptorplate 402. While not expressly visible, the wall mountable connector 404includes a field wiring connection block that is configured to providean electrical connection to a plurality of field wires, and a thermostatterminal block that is configured to provide an electrical connection tothe thermostat 406.

FIG. 28 is an exploded perspective view of the wall mountable connector404 and the adaptor plate 402, showing the wall mountable connector 404disposed above or in front of the adaptor plate 402. In some cases, asillustrated, the adaptor plate 402 may include a raised portion 450 thathas a shape that corresponds to an outer profile of the wall mountableconnector 404. The adaptor plate 402 may also include a field wireaperture 451 that permits field wires extending from a junction box (notillustrated) or the like, through the adaptor plate 402, and into arecess in the back of the wall mountable connector 40. In someinstances, the raised portion 450 of the adaptor plate 402 may includemounting latches that correspond to mounting apertures formed within thewall mountable connector 404. In some cases, the raised portion 450includes an upper mounting latch 452 that is configured to engage acorresponding upper mounting feature 454 formed in the wall mountableconnector 404. In the example shown, a first lower mounting latch 456 isconfigured to engage a corresponding first lower mounting feature suchas a first lower mounting aperture 458 formed in the wall mountableconnector 404. Similarly, a second lower mounting latch 460 isconfigured to engage a corresponding second lower mounting feature suchas a second lower mounting aperture 462 formed in the wall mountableconnector 404. Additional details regarding the wall mountable connector404 and the adaptor plate 402, and how the wall mountable connector 404secures to the adaptor plate 402, may be found in U.S. Pat. No.9,768,564 issued Sep. 19, 2017 entitled WALL MOUNTABLE CONNECTOR WITHMOUNTING FEATURES, which application is incorporated by reference hereinin its entirety.

As noted, the adaptor plate 402 may be configured to be secured to anin-wall junction box, and the wall mountable connector 404 may beconfigured to be secured to the adaptor plate 402. In some cases, thetrim ring 408 may be configured to be secured to the adaptor plate 402.With reference to FIG. 28, the adaptor plate 402 includes mountingapertures 470 and 472 that are disposed on either side of the raisedportion 450 of the adaptor plate 402. These mounting apertures 470, 472are configured and positioned to accept corresponding mounting tabs 474and 476 (see FIG. 26) that are formed on either side of the aperture 440that, as discussed, is configured to permit the trim ring 408 to fitdown over the wall mountable connector 404. In some cases, asillustrated, the trim ring 408 includes a relief 479 that is cut outadjacent the mounting tab 474 and a relief 481 that is cut out adjacentthe mounting tab 476 to lend additional flexibility for ease of securingthe trim ring 408 to the adaptor plate 402. The thermostat 406 is thensecured to the wall mountable connector 404 via the electricalconnections therebetween.

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of a thermostat assembly 480 forcontrolling an HVAC system and FIG. 30 is an exploded perspective viewof the thermostat assembly 480 positioned relative to the wall mountableconnector 404. The thermostat assembly 480 may, for example, beconsidered as being an example of the HVAC controller 18 (FIG. 1), theHVAC controller 110 (FIG. 4) or the HVAC controller 280 (FIG. 15). Theillustrative thermostat assembly 480 includes the thermostat 406 and atrim ring 482. In some cases, the trim ring 482 may be used when thethermostat 406 is to be secured directly to the wall mountable connector404, without use of the adaptor plate 402. This is just an example. Insome cases, the trim ring 482 has an outer profile 492 that transitionsfrom a back side 494 having a back side perimeter that is greater than afront portion perimeter of the thermostat housing 412 to a front side 49having a front side perimeter that substantially matches the frontportion perimeter of the thermostat housing 412. As can be seen in FIG.29, the profile of the trim ring 482 may flow smoothly into the profileof the thermostat housing 412 to provide a desirable design aesthetic.

In some cases, the back portion 418 of the thermostat housing 412includes trim ring mounting features 484 that are disposed along theback portion side wall 420 that are configured to releasable engagecorresponding mounting features 486 formed as part of the trim ring 482(see FIG. 30). In some cases, the trim ring mounting features 484 areprotrusions and the corresponding mounting features 486 are aperturesinto which the protrusions fit. In some cases, the trim ring 482 definesan aperture 488 that is configured to enable the thermostat 406 toextend through the aperture or recess 488 and engage the wall mountableconnector 404. The aperture or recess 488 is defined at least in part bya aperture or recess side wall 490. In some cases, the correspondingmounting features 486 are formed within the aperture or recess side wall490.

The trim ring 482 is configured to be secured to the thermostat 406,which is itself secured to the wall mountable connector 404 viaelectrical and mechanical connections therebetween. In some cases, theaperture or recess 488 is configured to accommodate the back portion 418of the thermostat housing 412. In some instances, the aperture or recess488 has a depth that is about equal to a depth of the back portion 418of the thermostat housing 412. In some cases, as shown, the aperture orrecess 488 extends through the trim ring 482 from the back side 494 tothe front side 496. In this example, the trim ring 482 does notinterfere with mounting the thermostat 406 to the wall mountableconnector 404.

This can be seen in FIG. 31, which is a rear perspective view of thethermostat assembly 480. It can be seen that the thermostat 406 has arear surface 498 that substantially aligns with the back side 494 of thetrim ring 482. The trim ring 482 does not extend behind or rearwardbeyond the rear surface 498 of the thermostat 406. A recess 500 isformed in the rear surface 498 that is sized and configured toaccommodate the wall mountable connector 404. Also visible are some ofthe terminal pins 502 that provide electrical connections between thethermostat 406 and the wall mountable connector 404, and thus electricalconnections between the thermostat 406 and the field wires (not shown)that are electrically coupled to pin terminals formed within the wallmountable connector 404. The terminal pins 502 also provide a mechanicalconnection between the thermostat 406 and the wall mountable connector404.

FIG. 32 provides a schematic block diagram of a system 520 that includesan HVAC system 522 that is controlled by an HVAC controller 524. It willbe appreciated that the HVAC controller 524 may be considered as beingan example of the HVAC controller 18 (FIG. 1), the HVAC controller 110(FIG. 4) or the HVAC controller 280 (FIG. 15) It will also beappreciated that features and functions of any of these HVAC controllers18, 110, 280, 524 may be combined with features and functions of othersof these HVAC controllers 18, 110, 280, 524. The HVAC controller 524 isoperably coupled to the HVAC system 522, in order to receive informationfrom the HVAC system 522 as well as to provide control signals to theHVAC system 522, via a plurality of field wires 526. While a total offour field wires 526 are illustrated, it will be appreciated that thisis merely illustrative, as the total number of field wires 526 can varyconsiderably, depending on the particular features of the HVAC system522.

In some cases, the field wires 526 are directly coupled to the HVACcontroller 524. In some instances, the HVAC controller 524 may becoupled to a wall mountable connector 528 (such as but not limited tothe wall mountable connector 404), and the field wires 526 are coupledto the wall mountable connector 528. The wall mountable connector 528provides electrical connections between each of the field wires 526 andelectrical connectors forming part of the HVAC controller 524. In eithercase, there may be a desire to know if a field wire 526 is connected,either directly or indirectly, with a particular electrical input on theHVAC controller 524. As will be appreciated, the HVAC controller 524 maybe configured to utilize knowledge of which field wires 526 are coupledto which particular electrical inputs on the HVAC controller 525 to gainknowledge of details of the HVAC system 522, thereby improvingfunctionality and/or performance of the HVAC controller 524 in operatingthe HVAC system 522.

FIG. 33 is a schematic block diagram of the HVAC controller 524. Theillustrative HVAC controller 524 includes a housing 527 and a userinterface 529 that is accessible from an exterior of the housing 527. Inthe example shown, a temperature sensor 530 is disposed relative to thehousing 527. The HVAC controller 524 includes a first input terminal 532that is configured to be electrically coupled with a first field wire526 and a second input terminal 534 that is configured to beelectrically coupled with a second field wire 526. In some cases, thefirst input terminal 532 may be a first stage heat “W” terminal and thesecond input terminal may be heat pump O/B terminal. Typically, a fieldwire should only be connected to one of these terminals, but not both.

In the example shown, a double pole relay 536 includes two inputterminals 538 and 540 and two output terminals 542 and 544. In somecases, the double pole relay 536 is a double pole, single throw relay,but this is not required in all cases. In the example shown, the twoinput terminals 538 and 540 are operably coupled to a power source 546,such as an “R” field wire. As illustrated, the output terminal 542 isoperably coupled to the first input terminal 532 and the output terminal544 is operably coupled to the second input terminal 534. The doublepole relay 536 includes an open state where the output terminals 542,544 are disconnected from the two input terminals 538, 540 and thus thepower source 546, and a closed state where the output terminals 542, 544are connected to the power source 546 via the two input terminals 538,540.

The HVAC controller 524 may include control circuitry 548 that isoperably coupled to the temperature sensor 530 and the double pole relay536. The control circuitry 548 is configured to change the double polerelay 536 between the open state and the closed state based at least inpart on a temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 530 in order tocontrol operation of at least part of the I-VAC system 522. In someinstances, as illustrated, the control circuitry 548 further includes afirst wire sensing circuit 550 that is operably coupled with the firstinput terminal 532, wherein when the double pole relay 536 is the openstate, the first wire sensing circuit 550 is configured to electricallydetect when the first field wire 526 is electrically coupled with thefirst input terminal 532. The control circuitry 548 may further includea second wire sensing circuit 552 that is operably coupled with thesecond input terminal 534, wherein when the double pole relay 536 is theopen state, the second wire sensing circuit 552 is configured toelectrically detect when the second field wire 526 is electricallycoupled with the second input terminal 534.

In some cases, the first wire sensing circuit 550 is configured toelectrically detect when the first field wire 526 is electricallycoupled with the first input terminal 532 independently of whether thesecond field wire 526 is electrically coupled with the second inputterminal 534. The second wire sensing circuit 552 may be configured toelectrically detect when the second field wire 526 is electricallycoupled with the second input terminal 534 independently of whether thefirst field wire 526 is electrically coupled with the first inputterminal 532. In some cases, when the double pole relay 536 is in theopen state, the first and second wire sensing circuits 550, 552 areconfigured to determine when only the first field wire 526 iselectrically coupled to the first input terminal 532, only the secondfield wire 526 is electrically coupled to the second input terminal 534,both the first field wire 526 and the second field wire 526 areelectrically coupled to the first input terminal 532 and the secondinput terminal 534, respectively, and neither the first field wire 526or the second field wire 526 are electrically coupled to the first inputterminal 532 and the second input terminal 534, respectively.

As noted above, in some cases, the first input terminal 532 correspondsto an O/B input terminal. The second input terminal 534 may, in someinstances, correspond to a W input terminal. In some cases, the powersource 546 may be an R input terminal and may be operably coupled to thetwo input terminals 538, 540 of the double pole relay 536. In suchcases, when the double pole relay 536 is closed, the R input terminal546 is electrically coupled with the O/B input terminal 532 and the Winput terminal 534 through the double pole relay 536. The HVACcontroller 524 may include additional input terminals, such as but notlimited to one or more of a Y input terminal, a G input terminal, a Cinput terminal, an R_(C) input terminal, a Y₁ input terminal, a Y₂ inputterminal, a W₁ input terminal, a W₂ input terminal, a U₁ input terminaland a U₂ input terminal.

In some cases, and with reference to FIG. 32, the HVAC controller 524may be configured to be operably coupled to the wall mountable connector528, and the wall mountable connector 528 may include a plurality ofwire terminals for accepting a plurality of field wires 526, including afirst wire terminal for accepting the first field wire 526 and a secondwire terminal for accepting the second field wire 526, where the firstwire terminal and the second wire terminal are electrically coupled withthe first input terminal 532 and the second input terminal 534,respectively, when the HVAC controller 524 is operably coupled with thewall mountable connector 528.

In some cases, the control circuitry 548 may be considered as includinga wire detection circuit 560 that includes the first wire sensingcircuit 550 and the second wire sensing circuit 552. In some cases, thewire detection circuit 560 may be distinct from the control circuitry548, which may be considered as being a controller. When the first inputterminal 532 is an OB input terminal and the second input terminal 534is a W input terminal, the wire detection circuit 560 is configured toinform the controller (or control circuitry 548) that the HVAC system522 includes a heat pump when it is electrically detected that an O/Bwire is electrically coupled with the O/B input terminal and the W fieldwire is not electrically coupled with the W input terminal. The wiredetection circuit 560 is configured to inform the control circuitry 548that the HVAC system 522 has a conventional heat stage when it iselectrically detected that a W field wire is electrically coupled withthe W input terminal and an O/B wire is not electrically coupled withthe O/B input terminal. The HVAC system 522 may be informed that thereis a wiring error when it is electrically detected that the W field wireis electrically coupled with the W input terminal and the O/B wire iselectrically coupled with the O/B input terminal, or that there is no Wfield wire electrically coupled with the W input terminal and there isno O/B wire electrically coupled with the O/B input terminal.

FIG. 34 is a schematic block diagram of a wireless occupancy sensorassembly 570 that is configured to be deployed within a building space.The wireless occupancy sensor assembly 570 may be considered as anexample of the wireless sensor 21 referenced in FIG. 1. The wirelessoccupancy sensor assembly 570 includes a housing 572 and a motion sensor574 that is disposed relative to the housing 572. The motion sensor 574may be a passive infrared (PIR) motion sensor, a microwave sensor, orany other suitable occupancy or motion sensor. A transmitter 576 isdisposed relative to the housing 572 and is configured to be in wirelesscommunication occupancy and/or other signals with a building controlsystem 578. The building control system 578 may operate or help tooperate one or more building systems within a building, such as but notlimited to an HVAC system, a security system and/or any other suitablebuilding control system. A controller 580 is disposed within the housing572 and is operably coupled to the motion sensor 574 and to thetransmitter 576. In some instances, the wireless occupancy sensorassembly 570 may include a temperature sensor 582 that is disposedrelative to the housing 572, and the controller 580 may be configured totransmit an indication of temperature sensed by the temperature sensorvia the transmitter.

In some cases, the controller 580 may be configured to provide a dynamictimeout response to an indication of motion and thus an indication ofoccupancy. When so provided, the controller 580 may be configured to seta motion count value to an initial value (e.g, zero) and to wait toreceive an indication of motion from the motion sensor 574. Anindication of motion may be received from the motion sensor 574. Inresponse, the controller 580 may transmit an indication of occupancy viathe transmitter 576, increment a motion count value and update a lengthof a dynamic time period based on the incremented motion count value.Once the indication of motion is no-longer indicated by the motionsensor 574, the controller 580 may start the dynamic time period. Ifanother indication of motion is received from the motion sensor 574before the dynamic time period expires, the controller 580 may incrementthe motion count value, update the length of the dynamic time periodbased on the incremented motion count value, and restart the dynamictime period. If another indication of motion is not received from themotion sensor 574 before the dynamic time period expires, the controller580 may transmit an indication of un-occupancy after the dynamic timeperiod expires, reset the motion count value to the initial value,update the length of the dynamic time period based on the reset motioncount value, and return to wait to receive an indication of motion fromthe motion sensor 574.

In some cases, the controller 580 may increase the length of the dynamictime period when the incremented motion count value exceeds one or morethresholds. The controller 580 may be configured to set the length ofthe dynamic time period to a first length when the motion count value isbelow a low motion count threshold, to set the length of the dynamictime period to a second length longer than the first length when themotion count value is above the low motion count threshold but below ahigh motion count threshold, and to set the length of the dynamic timeperiod to a third length longer than the second length when the motioncount value is above the high motion count threshold. As an illustrativebut non-limiting example, the first length may be less than about 20minutes, the second length may be less than about 40 minutes and thethird length may be less than about 90 minutes. Rather than usingpredefined thresholds, the controller 580 may simply store arelationship (e.g, formula or table) between a motion count value and adynamic time period. The relationship may be linear, non-linear,stepped, and/or define any other relationship. These are just examples.In some cases, the indication of occupancy transmitted by the controller580 is a logical value of TRUE and the indication of un-occupancytransmitted by the controller 580 is a logical value of FALSE, but thisis not required.

FIG. 35 is a schematic block diagram of an illustrative wirelessoccupancy sensor assembly 590 that is configured to be deployed within abuilding space and to communicate with a remote wireless device 592having a user interface 594. In some cases, the remote wireless device592 allows a user to input a sensitivity parameter via the userinterface 594. In some instances, the remote wireless device 592 may bea building controller, such as but not limited to an HVAC controller. Insome cases, the remote wireless device may be a smart phone. Thewireless occupancy sensor assembly 590 may be configured to communicatewith a plurality of different remote wireless devices 592, although thisis not required. The wireless occupancy sensor assembly 590 may beconsidered as an example of the wireless sensor 21 referenced in FIG. 1.The wireless occupancy sensor assembly 590 includes a housing 596. Themotion sensor 574 is disposed relative to the housing 596. A transceiver598 is disposed relative to the housing 596 for communicating with theremote wireless device 592 and for receiving a sensitivity parameterfrom the remote wireless device 592. In some cases, the wirelessoccupancy sensor assembly 590 may include the temperature sensor 582disposed relative to the housing 596. In some cases, the controller 580may be configured to wirelessly transmit an indication of occupancy andnon-occupancy to a building controller.

In some cases, the controller 580 is disposed within the housing 596 andis operably coupled with the motion sensor 574 and the transceiver 598.The controller 580 may be configured to receive via the transceiver 598a sensitivity parameter and/or a manual timeout adjustment parameter. Insome cases, for example, a sensitivity parameter may increase ordecrease a sensitivity of the motion sensor 574. A user may desire toincrease the sensitivity of the motion sensor 574 if the motion sensor574 only sometimes detects when a particular individual walks into orthrough a room in which the wireless occupancy sensor assembly 590 islocated. Conversely, a user may desire to decrease the sensitivity ofthe motion sensor 574 if the motion sensor 574 is providing falsepositives, such as if the motion sensor 574 is frequently indicatingoccupancy as a result of detecting movement of a window treatment inresponse to air passing through an open window, for example. In someinstances, a user may wish to increase or decrease a timeout value thatindicates how long the motion sensor 574 will report occupancy inresponse to detecting motion. If the wireless occupancy sensor assembly590 is in a location where users frequently walk past, but do not stayin the room, they may wish to decrease the timeout value. If thewireless occupancy sensor assembly 590 is in a location where userscongregate, but do not move frequently (such as when watchingtelevision), they may wish to increase the timeout value. These are justexamples. FIG. 36 is a flow diagram showing an illustrative method 600for determining occupancy status of a building space. A building spacemay be an entire building, a room or several rooms, a portion of an openarea, and the like. The illustrative method 600 begins with sensing anindication of motion in the building space, as indicated by block 602.In response to sensing the indication of motion in the building space,an occupied time period may be started having a length during which thebuilding space is indicated as being occupied, as indicated at block604. The length of the occupied time period may be increased when themeasure related to the number of subsequent sensed indications of motionin the building space occurring during the occupied time period exceedsa threshold. In some instances, the length of the occupied time periodmay not be adjusted when the measured related to the number ofsubsequent sensed indications of motion in the building space during theoccupied time period does not exceed a threshold.

A measure may be determined that is related to a number of subsequentsensed indications of motion in the building space during the occupiedtime period, as indicated at block 606. The length of the occupied timeperiod may be selectively adjusted based on the measure related to thenumber of subsequent sensed indications of motion in the building spaceduring the occupied time period, as indicated at block 608.

In some instances, an HVAC system that services the building space maybe controlled in accordance with the indication of occupancy, asoptionally indicated at block 610 in some cases, the method 600 includescontrolling the HVAC system that services the building space with acomfort set point when the building space is indicated as being occupiedand controlling the HVAC system that services the building space with anenergy saving set point when the building space is not indicated asbeing occupied, as noted at block 612. In some cases, the method 600includes selectively adjusting a time from a last sensed indication ofoccupancy/motion in the building space until an end of the occupied timeperiod based on the measure related to the number of subsequent sensedindications of motion in the building space during the occupied timeperiod.

FIG. 37 is a schematic block diagram of an illustrative wirelessoccupancy sensor 620 that is configured to be deployed in a buildingspace. The illustrative wireless occupancy sensor 620 includes a sensorbody 622 and an occupancy sensor 624 that is housed by the sensor body622. A light source 626 is housed by the sensor body 622. In some cases,the light source 626 may be a light emitting diode (LED), and may beconfigured to emit visible light sometimes in various colors, dependingon the purpose of why the LED is being illuminated. For example, if thelight source 626 is being illuminated to help identify the wirelessoccupancy sensor 620, the light source 626 may be illuminated in a greencolor. Alternatively, if the light source 626 is being illuminated toalert a homeowner to a low battery situation, for example, the lightsource 626 may be periodically illuminated in yellow as an initialwarning, and may be illuminated in red as a sterner warning as the lowbattery situation becomes more critical. These are just examples.

The illustrative wireless occupancy sensor 620 includes a wirelesstransceiver 628 that is housed by the sensor body 622 and that isconfigured to be in wireless communication with a remote device 630. Theremote device 630 may be any of a portable handheld remote device, asmart phone, a building control device, a wall mountable thermostat, azone damper controller and/or any other suitable device. In some cases,the wireless transceiver 628 may be configured to be in wirelesscommunication with a plurality of remote devices 630. A controller 632is housed by the sensor body 622 and is operably coupled to theoccupancy sensor 624, the light source 626 and the wireless transceiver628. The controller 632 may be configured to receive via the wirelesstransceiver 628 a request to illuminate the light source 626 from theremote device 630, and in response to receiving the request, thecontroller 632 may illuminate the light source 626 (such as an LED) inorder to help visually identify the wireless occupancy sensor 620 in thebuilding space. In some cases, the wireless occupancy sensor 620includes a CONNECT button 634 that may be used in pairing the wirelessoccupancy sensor 620 with another device. When pressed, the CONNECTbutton 634 may place the wireless occupancy sensor 620 in an enroll modeto enroll the wireless occupancy sensor 620 in a wireless buildingcontrol network.

In some cases, the illustrative wireless occupancy sensor 620 mayinclude a temperature sensor 636 that is operably coupled to thecontroller 632, and may include a power supply 638. When so provided,the controller 632 may be configured to repeatedly report a currenttemperature that is reported by the temperature sensor 636 to the remotedevice 630 and/or some other remote device (e.g, a building controller)via the wireless transceiver 628. The controller 632 may also repeatedlymake a determination of whether a particular building space is occupiedor not, and may report the determined occupancy status of the buildingspace to the remote device 630 and/or some other remote device via thewireless transceiver 628.

In some cases, the request to illuminate the light source 626 may bemade after the wireless occupancy sensor 620 has been enrolled in awireless building control network, and the request is made by a buildingcontroller connected to the wireless building control network. In someinstances, the request to illuminate the light source 626 may include anaddress that specifically identifies the wireless occupancy sensor 620from one or more other wireless devices on the wireless building controlnetwork. In some cases, the request to illuminate the light source 626may be user initiated to help identify the wireless occupancy sensor 620from other devices on the wireless building control network. These arejust examples. In some cases, the controller 632 may monitor remainingenergy within the power supply 638. In some instances, the request toilluminate the light source 626 may include a request for the lightsource 626 to be illuminated in one of several different colors.

FIGS. 38 through 40 provide various views of the wireless occupancysensor 620, FIG. 38 is a perspective view, FIG. 39 is a partiallyexploded perspective view and FIG. 40 is a further partially explodedview of the wireless occupancy sensor 620. As noted with respect to FIG.37, the wireless occupancy sensor 620 has a sensor body 622. A frontcover 640 fits across the front of the sensor body 622 and snaps intoplace. As shown for example in FIG. 40, the front cover 640 includesseveral mounting protrusions 644 that fit into corresponding mountingslots 646 (only one visible in illustrated orientation) formed into thesensor body 622. The front cover 640 includes an aperture 642 that isconfigured to accommodate a lens 648. A light 626 a may be visiblethrough the lens 648.

The sensor body 622 defines an aperture 650 on a front side of thesensor body 622. The aperture 650 exposes the occupancy sensor 624 andthe light source 626. The lens 648, which in some cases may be a Fresnellens, is situated in line with the aperture 650 to hide the occupancysensor 624 and the light source 626. The lens 648 may be at leastpartially transparent to visible light. In some cases, the lens 648 maybe formed of polyethylene such as high density polyethylene (HDPE). Insome cases, the occupancy sensor 624 and the light source 626 aredisposed on a printed circuit board 652, a portion of which is visiblein FIG. 40 where the batteries (power supply 638) has been removed forclarity. In some cases, a light tube 656 extends from a positionproximate the light source 626 to a position just behind the lens 648. Abattery cavity 654, visible in FIG. 40, may be considered as beingconfigured to accommodate one or more batteries. It will be appreciatedthat when the front cover 640 has been removed from the wirelessoccupancy sensor 620 that the battery cavity 654 is accessible withoutremoving the wireless occupancy sensor 620 from the wall, and that thefront cover 640, when in place, hides the battery cavity 654 and thebatteries therein. It will be appreciated that the CONNECT button 634 isalso hidden behind the removable front cover 640. The wireless occupancysensor 620 includes a rear housing 670 that enables the wirelessoccupancy sensor 620 to be mounted to a wall or other vertical mountingsurface.

FIG. 41 is a schematic block diagram of a wireless sensor assembly 700.It will be appreciated that features and elements of the wirelessoccupancy sensor 620 may be incorporated into the wireless sensorassembly 700, and that features and elements of the wireless sensorassembly 700 may be incorporated into the wireless occupancy sensor 620.The wireless sensor assembly 700 includes a sensor housing 702 with afront housing region 704 and a back housing region 706. The wirelesssensor assembly 700 includes one or more sensors 708. As illustrated,there is a sensor 708 a and a sensor 708 b. In some cases there may beonly one sensor 708. In other cases, there may be three or more distinctsensors 708, for example. The sensors 708 may include one or more of atemperature sensor, a motion sensor, both a temperature sensor and amotion sensor, a humidity sensor, a security sensor, a smoke sensor, acarbon monoxide sensor and/or any other suitable sensor. The wirelesssensor assembly 700 includes a transmitter 710 for transmitting sensorvalues provided by the one or more sensors 708, the transmitter 710being configured to be in wireless communication with a building controlsystem that utilizes the transmitted sensor values in controlling abuilding control system of the building. The wireless sensor assembly700 includes a battery 715.

FIGS. 42 through 44 illustrate features that facilitate mounting thewireless sensor assembly 700 to a wall or other vertical mountingsurface. While illustrated with respect to the wireless sensor assembly700, it will be appreciated that the wireless occupancy sensor 620 maybe mounted in a similar fashion. A wireless temperature, smoke, humidityor other sensor may also be mounted in a similar fashion.

FIG. 42 is a rear perspective view of the wireless sensor assembly 700,FIG. 43 is a front view of the wall plate 711 forming a portion of thewireless sensor assembly 700, and FIG. 44 is a rear view of the wallplate 711. FIG. 42 shows a rear portion of the back housing region 706as well as the wall plate 711. In some instances, the wall plate 711 maybe mounted to a wall or other vertical mounting surface, and the backhousing region 706 may be secured to the wall plate 711 and thus securedrelative to the wall or other vertical mounting surface.

As will be discussed, the illustrative wall plate 711 is configured topermit several different mounting techniques for securing the wall plate711 relative to the wall or other vertical mounting surface. Theillustrative wall plate 711 is configured to permit an installer tomount the wall plate 711 to the wall or other vertical mounting surfaceusing multiple techniques. If desired, the installer may use a screw orother threaded fastener to secure the wall plate 711 by extending thescrew or other threaded fastener through an aperture 720 that extendsthrough the wall plate 711. In some cases, the aperture 720 may becentrally located within the wall plate 711, but this is not required.Alternatively, the installer may use an releasable adhesive strip, aswill be discussed.

As can be seen, the back housing region 706 of the wireless sensorassembly 700 defines a recess 710 that is configured to receive at leasta portion of the wall plate 711. In some instances, the recess 710 maybe considered as including a primary recess 712 for receiving at leastpart of the wall plate 711 when the back housing region 706 isreleasably secured to the wall plate 711, and a secondary recess 714that is contiguous with the primary recess 712. The secondary recess 714is configured to accommodate a release tab 718 of a releasable adhesivestrip 716 (e.g. 3M COMMAND Strip) extending past a periphery of the wallplate 711, such that the back housing region 706 hides the release tabof the releasable adhesive strip from view when the back housing region706 is secured to the wall plate 711. As will be appreciated, therelease tab 718 will fit into the secondary recess 714 when the wirelesssensor assembly 700 is secured to the wall plate 711.

In the example shown, the recess 710 includes mounting slots 722 thataccommodate corresponding tabs 724 that extend outwardly from eitherside of the wall plate 711. In some cases, as illustrated, the wallplate 711 includes an elongate slot 726 on either side of the wall plate711, spaced inward of each of the tabs 724, to allow the tabs 724 toflex inward when securing the back housing region 706 to the wall plate711 and/or when removing the back housing region 706 from the wall plate711. In some cases, the wall plate 711 includes finger nail recesses 728formed on upper and lower edges of the wall plate 711 to facilitateremoval of the wall plate 711 from the back housing region 706 when thewall plate 711 is inadvertently secured to the back housing region 706before the wall plate 711 is secured to the wall or other verticalmounting surface. In some cases, the wall plate 711 may include a flatupper edge 730 that is configured to accommodate placement of a levelthereon when mounting the wall plate 711 to the wall or other verticalmounting surface.

In some cases, the wall plate 711 has an overall width of less thanabout 1 inch, an overall height of less than about 2 inches and anoverall thickness of less than about one third of an inch. The wallplate 711 has a raised outer perimeter 732 that extends around the wallplate 711. As visible in FIG. 44, the back side of the wall plate 711includes a recess 734 that accommodates at least part of the thicknessof the releasable adhesive strip 716. The installer may peel the releaselayers off of the releasable adhesive strip 716, and adhere one adhesiveside to the recess 734 and adhere the other adhesive side to the wall orother vertical mounting surface. The recess 734 may extend to an edge ofthe wall plate 711 so that the release tab 718 of the releasableadhesive strip 716 can extend out past the edge of the wall plate 711and be accessible to the user to release the releasable adhesive strip716 after the wall plate 711 has been mounted to the wall or othervertical mounting surface.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that the present disclosure maybe manifested in a variety of forms other than the specific embodimentsdescribed and contemplated herein. Accordingly, departure in form anddetail may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of thepresent disclosure as described in the appended claims.

1-20. (canceled) 21: A Heating, Cooling and Ventilation (HVAC)controller system comprising: control circuitry for receiving aplurality of signals from a plurality of sensors, each of the signalsindicating a current temperature for a space in which a correspondingsensor is located; a display configured to display a sensor priorityscreen, wherein: the sensor priority screen includes a plurality ofgraphic constructs, wherein each graphic construct of the plurality ofgraphic constructs corresponds to a different sensor of the plurality ofsensors and displays a current temperature reported by the correspondingsensor, the sensor priority screen identifies a subset of the pluralityof graphic constructs that correspond to a subset of sensors that aredesignated as priority spaces and currently being used by the controllerin controlling the HVAC system, and the sensor priority screen providesan indication of which spaces in the building structure are currentlycalling for HVAC system activation, a user interface configured toreceive an input from a user to select which sensors of the plurality ofsensors are designated as sensors corresponding to the priority spaces;and wherein the control circuitry is further configured to control theHVAC system based on temperatures received from the subset of sensorsthat are designated as the priority spaces. 22: The HVAC controllersystem of claim 21, wherein a thermostat comprises the controlcircuitry. 23: The HVAC controller system of claim 22, wherein thethermostat further comprises the display and the user interface. 24: TheHVAC controller system of claim 22, further comprising: a remotecomputing device comprising the display and the user interface. 25: TheHVAC controller system of claim 24, wherein the remote computing devicescomprises one of a smartphone or a tablet computer. 26: The HVACcontroller system of claim 22, wherein the thermostat comprises one ofthe plurality of sensors. 27: The HVAC controller system of claim 21,wherein the sensor priority screen displays an indication of whichspaces in the building structure are currently calling for HVACactivation. 28: The HVAC controller system of claim 21, wherein thecontrol circuitry comprises a wall mountable thermostat, and the HVACsystem is a non-zoned HVAC system. 29: A Heating, Cooling andVentilation (HVAC) controller system comprising: control circuitry forreceiving a plurality of signals from a plurality of sensors, each ofthe signals indicating a current environmental condition for a space ina building structure in which a corresponding sensor is located and anindication of occupancy for the space in which the corresponding sensoris located; a display configured to display a sensor priority screenthat includes a plurality of graphic constructs, where each graphicconstruct of the plurality of graphic constructs displayed on the sensorpriority screen: corresponds to a different sensor in a different spacein the building structure; displays a current environmental conditionfor the corresponding space; displays a current occupancy status for thecorresponding space; and displays an indication of whether thecorresponding sensor for the corresponding space is designated as apriority space such that the sensor belongs to a subset of sensors fromthe plurality of remote sensors that are currently being used by thecontroller in controlling the HVAC system; a user interface configuredto receive an input from a user to select which spaces are designated aspriority spaces; and wherein the control circuitry is further configuredto control the HVAC system in accordance with at least some of theplurality of the current environmental conditions for the spacesdesignated as the priority spaces in the building structure. 30: TheHVAC controller system of claim 29, wherein a thermostat comprises thecontrol circuitry. 31: The HVAC controller system of claim 30, whereinthe thermostat further comprises the display and the user interface. 32:The HVAC controller system of claim 30, further comprising: a remotecomputing device comprising the display and the user interface. 33: TheHVAC controller system of claim 32, wherein the remote computing devicescomprises one of a smartphone or a tablet computer. 34: The HVACcontroller system of claim 30, wherein the thermostat comprises one ofthe plurality of sensors. 35: The HVAC controller system of claim 21,wherein the sensor priority screen displays an indication of whichspaces in the building structure are currently calling for HVACactivation. 36: The HVAC controller system of claim 29, wherein the atleast some of the plurality of the current environmental conditions forthe spaces designated as the priority spaces in the building structurecomprises current environmental conditions for priority spaces that aredetermined to be occupied. 37: The HVAC controller system of claim 29,wherein at least some of the plurality of sensors include a motionsensor for sensing occupancy. 38: The HVAC controller system of claim29, wherein the current environmental condition comprises a currenttemperature. 39: The HVAC controller system of claim 29, wherein thecontrol circuitry comprises a wall mountable thermostat, and the HVACsystem is a non-zoned HVAC system. 40: The HVAC controller system ofclaim 29, wherein the sensor priority screen highlights the graphicconstructs corresponding to the subset of sensors.